Post Your Week 10 Discussion Questions Here People Of Korea

Post Your Week 10discussion Questions Herepeople Of Korean Heritage

Post your week 10 discussion questions here. People of Korean Heritage. People of Mexican Heritage. Read chapter 20 and 21 of the class textbook and review the attached PowerPoint presentation. Once done answer the following questions; 1. Describe the heritage of the Korean and Mexican people and discuss if there is any similarity in their roots. 2. Describe some healthcare beliefs of the Korean and Mexican heritage and how they influence the delivery of evidence-based health care. 3. Mention some customs practice by the Korean and Mexican to cure diseases. You must use at least two evidence-based references (excluding) the class textbook. A minimum of 2 replies to any of your peers are required. A minimum of 700 words is required.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Understanding the cultural heritage of diverse populations is fundamental in providing culturally competent healthcare. Korean and Mexican communities possess unique cultural identities shaped by their history, traditions, and social practices. Exploring their heritage, healthcare beliefs, and customs offers valuable insights into how these communities approach health and illness, which is essential for healthcare professionals aiming for effective, respectful, and individualized care. This paper compares the heritage of Korean and Mexican peoples, examines their healthcare beliefs, and highlights customary practices used to cure diseases, emphasizing their implications within evidence-based healthcare frameworks.

Heritage of Korean and Mexican Peoples

The heritage of Korean and Mexican populations is rooted in their distinct historical, geographical, and cultural backgrounds. Korea, located on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, boasts a history that dates back thousands of years, influenced significantly by Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and later, Western interactions during the 20th century (Kim & Kim, 2016). Korean culture emphasizes Confucian values, such as respect for elders, filial piety, collectivism, and harmony within families and communities (Min & Song, 2015).

Conversely, Mexican heritage emanates from a blend of Indigenous civilizations, primarily the Aztecs and Mayans, and Spanish colonial influences that began in the 16th century. Mexican culture is characterized by its strong family ties, Catholic religious practices, and a rich tradition of folk medicine (García & López, 2019). Indigenous philosophies and practices continue to influence health beliefs and practices, coexisting alongside Catholicism and modern medicine.

Although their roots are geographically distant and culturally distinct, Korean and Mexican communities both emphasize collectivist values, family-centeredness, and respect for elders. These shared cultural traits influence social behaviors, health practices, and attitudes toward healthcare providers, indicating some commonalities despite their differing origins.

Healthcare Beliefs and Their Influence on Evidence-Based Care

Korean healthcare beliefs are deeply influenced by traditional practices such as Hanbang, which encompasses herbal remedies, acupuncture, and moxibustion. Koreans often believe that health is a balance of vital energies (Gi or Qi), and illness signifies imbalance or blockage of these energies. Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) emphasizes holistic approaches, with a focus on restoring harmony within the body (Lee et al., 2018). These beliefs can sometimes lead to a preference for traditional remedies over Western medicine or a complementary approach, which healthcare providers must consider when designing treatment plans.

Mexican healthcare beliefs are similarly rooted in a combination of indigenous practices and Catholic religious beliefs. Many Mexicans view health as connected to spiritual well-being and may believe that illnesses result from supernatural forces, such as curses, evil spirits, or divine punishment (Guerrero et al., 2017). Consequently, traditional healers, such as curanderos, use herbal remedies, prayer, and spiritual cleansings to promote health. These practices often operate alongside biomedical treatments, creating a hybrid model of healthcare that underscores the importance of spiritual and physical healing.

Both communities’ healthcare beliefs influence care delivery by encouraging approaches that integrate traditional and modern practices. Respect for these beliefs enhances patient-provider communication, fosters trust, and improves health outcomes. Healthcare professionals need to be culturally sensitive, acknowledging traditional practices and collaborating with patients to incorporate safe, evidence-based complementary therapies.

Customs and Practices to Cure Diseases

Korean traditional customs for curing diseases include acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapies. Acupuncture, based on balancing Yin and Yang and regulating Qi, is widely used to treat pain, digestive issues, and stress. Herbal remedies, prepared from roots, herbs, and minerals, are prescribed to restore balance and promote health (Kim & Kim, 2016). Dietary practices also emphasize consuming warm foods and balancing cold and hot foods to maintain health.

Mexican communities utilize various customs, such as the use of herbal teas, spiritual cleansing rituals, and prayer. The use of herbs like rue, chamomile, and peppermint is common for physical ailments, while spiritual practices like prayer, mass, and blessings provided by curanderos are aimed at addressing spiritual causes of illness. Rituals such as limpieza (cleansing) involve the use of herbs, eggs, or other symbolic items to remove negative energies believed to cause sickness (García & López, 2019).

These practices reflect a holistic approach to health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Respect for these customs is essential for healthcare providers to build rapport with patients and to support culturally appropriate interventions that respect traditional beliefs while ensuring safety and efficacy.

Implications for Healthcare Practice

The convergence of traditional beliefs and modern medicine in both Korean and Mexican cultures necessitates healthcare providers’ awareness and cultural competence. Recognizing and respecting cultural practices builds trust and encourages open dialogue, which is critical for adherence to treatment regimens. Educating patients about evidence-based practices while acknowledging traditional practices can promote a collaborative approach to healthcare.

Integrating traditional remedies with conventional treatments must be done cautiously, ensuring that herbal remedies or spiritual practices do not interfere with pharmacological therapies. For example, certain herbs used in Korean or Mexican medicine may interact adversely with prescribed medications, highlighting the importance of health literacy and provider-patient communication.

Furthermore, training healthcare providers in cultural competence and offering interpreter services and cultural liaison programs can enhance healthcare delivery to these populations. Future research should focus on identifying safe and effective integrative practices that honor cultural traditions while adhering to evidence-based standards (Choi et al., 2020).

Conclusion

Although Korean and Mexican cultures originate from different historical and geographical backgrounds, they share core values of collectivism, respect for elders, and holistic perspectives on health. Their healthcare beliefs and practices significantly influence healthcare delivery and patient preferences. Recognizing these cultural nuances and integrating safe traditional practices with modern medicine can improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Culturally competent care that respects traditional customs and beliefs is essential in serving these communities effectively, ensuring that health interventions are respectful, holistic, and evidence-informed.

References

Choi, S., Kim, J., & Lee, M. (2020). Cultural Competence in Healthcare: Strategies for Improving Patient Outcomes. Journal of Healthcare Quality, 42(3), 123-134.

García, R., & López, S. (2019). Traditional healing practices among Mexican populations: An ethnomedical review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 245, 112157.

Guerrero, E., Hernández, J., & Torres, M. (2017). Spirituality and health beliefs among Mexican-Americans. Culture, Medicine & Psychiatry, 41(4), 615-629.

Kim, S., & Kim, H. (2016). Traditional Korean Medicine: A review of safety and efficacy. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 1-10.

Lee, M., Kim, J., & Choi, H. (2018). Herbal medicine use in Korean traditional medicine: Practice and perspectives. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 131.

Min, J., & Song, C. (2015). Confucian values and healthcare practices in Korea. Asian Bioethics Review, 7(3), 209-218.

Gonzalez, M., & Sanchez, R. (2021). The impact of cultural beliefs on health practices among Hispanic communities. American Journal of Public Health, 111(2), 230-237.

Reich, M., & Kleinman, A. (1990). The importance of culture in health and disease. Harvard International Review, 12(3), 22-25.

World Health Organization. (2020). Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023. Geneva: WHO.