blog




  • Essay / Punjabi Culture and Health Care - 1384

    RR was interviewed at Doctor's Medical Center in Modesto, California (RR, personal communication, April 3, 2014). During the interview, RR provided information about his ethnicity, Punjabi culture. He was more than willing to answer all questions asked and provided lots of information about his cultural heritage. This article will discuss the areas of one's culture and provide information on the overall communication experience during the interview. This will allow the reader to better understand cultural differences and opposing viewpoints regarding health care practices, nutrition, and many other important aspects of daily life. Health Beliefs and Practices RR reported that it is common for Punjabis to prefer Indian doctors over any others. ethnic origin. He elaborated on this point by stating that it is not because they feel that Indian doctors are superior to any other race, but that they feel that it is easier to communicate with them. He said that although most women request female doctors, men are not choosy about who they see. Ultimately, he said Punjabis here in the United States choose their doctor based on the language he speaks. These findings directly correlate with the results of a study done on the perception of Punjabi people towards healthcare providers in India. Even in rural Punjab, only 10% of respondents indicated a preference for a health professional based on qualifications (Mehra & Nanda, 2012). This result reflects either the ignorance of those involved in the study or a genuine lack of preference for qualified doctors. Another interesting finding...... middle of paper ......relationship between health and spiritual beliefs. He pointed out that most practicing Punjabi Sikhs find comfort in knowing that a power greater than themselves is watching over them. Throughout the interview, RR provided a wide range of knowledge relating to various areas of Punjabi culture. His detailed responses gave an in-depth insight into various aspects of the lives of the Punjabi people. He shared personal experiences that provided insight into the different viewpoints expressed during the interview. RR also provided information on why Punjabi rituals are important in their culture, which is not always discussed. As a nurse, it is essential to treat all cultural backgrounds with equal respect. Therefore, by understanding the differences between opposing ethnic backgrounds, equal quality care will be achieved..