You Have Just Begun Your New Role As A Director Globally

You Have Just Begun Your New Role As A Director With A Global Healthca

You have just begun your new role as a Director with a global healthcare company. Two of your direct reports made comments about different cultures’ “odd” beliefs, which you find unprofessional. To promote education and equality, you decide to host a monthly lunch and learn about different cultures. For your initial post, select a culture different from your own and create a brief outline about cultural factors that affect that population’s healthcare choices. In your response post, respond to your peer’s postings by: building on something said by your peers, explaining how and why you feel differently, asking probing questions, and validating an idea with your own experience.

Paper For Above instruction

The importance of cultural competence in healthcare cannot be overstated, especially within the increasingly diverse landscape of global healthcare organizations. Understanding cultural factors influencing healthcare choices is vital for providing effective, respectful, and patient-centered care. As a newly appointed director at a global healthcare company, fostering an environment that values cultural awareness is essential for both staff development and improving patient outcomes. This paper will focus on the cultural factors affecting healthcare choices within the Japanese population, highlighting how beliefs, customs, and societal norms shape health-related behaviors in this culture.

Japanese culture is deeply rooted in traditions, social harmony, and a holistic approach to health. These cultural elements significantly influence healthcare decisions and practices. One key factor is the traditional emphasis on harmony and non-confrontation, which impacts how patients communicate with healthcare providers. Many Japanese individuals may avoid expressing dissatisfaction or requesting changes to prescribed treatments to maintain social harmony, potentially affecting treatment adherence (Kleinman & Benson, 2006). Recognizing this cultural tendency allows healthcare providers to create a more open, respectful dialogue that encourages patients to voice their concerns effectively.

Another critical aspect is the role of traditional medicine alongside Western medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine, such as herbal remedies and acupuncture, is widely accepted and integrated into the healthcare practices of many Japanese patients. This blending of practices stems from the cultural value placed on traditional Chinese medicine, which influences health-seeking behavior (Nagai et al., 2016). Healthcare providers should be aware of and respectful toward these preferences to ensure comprehensive care and avoid potential conflicts or misunderstandings.

Furthermore, cultural perceptions of illness and health maintenance play a significant role. In Japan, preventive health measures, such as regular screenings and health check-ups, are culturally encouraged, reflecting a proactive attitude toward health preservation (Kagawa et al., 2019). The societal importance of aging gracefully and maintaining a good quality of life also influences healthcare choices among older adults, emphasizing holistic well-being rather than merely addressing illness. Understanding these preferences can help healthcare providers tailor their services to promote preventive care effectively.

Family dynamics and societal expectations are additional factors influencing healthcare choices. In Japanese culture, family members often play an integral role in medical decision-making, especially for elderly patients. Respect for elders and filial piety compel families to prioritize traditional practices and seek the best possible care for their loved ones (Ota et al., 2017). Healthcare providers should recognize and respect these familial influences to foster trust and facilitate shared decision-making processes.

Language barriers and communication styles also impact healthcare delivery. Japanese communication tends to be indirect and context-dependent, which may pose challenges in understanding patients’ needs or symptoms fully. Cultural competence training for healthcare providers should include effective communication strategies tailored to these cultural nuances to improve patient-provider interactions and health outcomes (Searle & Ward, 2018).

In conclusion, cultural factors such as communication styles, traditional medicine use, health perceptions, family involvement, and language nuances significantly influence healthcare choices among the Japanese population. Developing cultural competence among healthcare staff can lead to more respectful, effective, and individualized care. As healthcare leaders, fostering an environment of continuous learning about diverse cultural practices is crucial for meeting the multifaceted needs of a global patient population.

References

• Kagawa, T., et al. (2019). Preventive health behaviors and cultural attitudes in Japan. Journal of Cross-Cultural Health, 12(3), 214-227.
• Kleinman, A., & Benson, P. (2006). Anthropology in the clinic: The problem of cultural competency and how to fix it. PLoS Medicine, 3(10), e294.
• Nagai, M., et al. (2016). The role of traditional medicine in Japan and its integration into modern healthcare. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 24, 64-71.
• Ota, S., et al. (2017). Family decision-making in Japanese healthcare: Cultural influences and implications. Journal of Family Medicine, 8(2), 45-53.
• Searle, G., & Ward, J. (2018). Communicative competence for culturally diverse healthcare populations. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 39(2), 352-359.