Galanti | Cultural Diversity in Healthcare








				For complete case studies, go to Cases by Topic Stereotype vs. Generalization Mexican woman whose post-surgical pain is dangerously ignored when she is stereotyped as a "whiny Mexican female who, as usual, was exaggerating her pain." Prejudice and Discrimination African American male distrustful of hospitals and white institutions in general. Values Chinese woman who agreed to come back in two weeks for a follow-up examination but who didn't because she didn't want to refuse to his face and cause him dishonor. (back to top) Informed Consent/Interpreters Hispanic woman whose son incorrectly translated hysterectomy on informed consent. Touching The Orthodox Jewish husband of a patient refused to shake the nurse's hand when she held it out to him due to Jewish prohibition against touching between members of the opposite sex. (back to top) Attitudes Toward Pain Medication Filipino nurse who undermedicated mother for cancer pain. (back to top) Blood Transfusions Jehovah's Witness whose doctor decided to transfuse her and was later sued by her for assault and battery Drawing Blood Mien gentleman who refused to have his blood drawn. Sacred Symbols A Cambodian infant with several strands of dark brown strings, about one-half inch wide, on both wrists. The Garment Mormon woman refused to remove her long underwear, and the surgeon refused to operate unless she did. Evil Eye Mexican-American woman who accused home health nurse of giving her baby the evil eye. Soul Loss Navaho boy who was upset when nurse took his photograph. Hair Sikh from India who refused to have any of his hair shaved. (back to top) Dietary Practices: Hot and Cold Pakistani woman who wouldn't eat because the wrong foods were being offered. (back to top) Self-Care Japanese man who refused to do anything for himself, insisting that his wife or the nurse do it. (back to top) Informed Consent Mexican woman who wouldn't sign informed consent, saying she needed her husband's permission before anything could be done to the baby. Women and Authority "Westernized" Iranian parents who became completely uncooperative when a female oncologist was assigned to treat their son. Authority Figures Young Gypsy boy; all decisions made by elder males, rather than his own parents. Female Modesty Arab man who refused to let a male lab technician enter his wife's room to draw blood or fix the toilet. Female "Circumcision" aka Female Genital Mutilation Egyptian woman in labor with severely deformed vagina. Female Virginity Bedouin girl who was killed by family for being unmarried and pregnant. (back to top) Doctor-Nurse Relations Anglo nurse who refused medication order given by Japanese physician. Gender Role Conflict Nigerian male nurse assistant who would not follow orders given by females. The Role of the Nurse Filipino nurse who did not get along well with her coworkers. (back to top) Postpartum Lying In Postpartum Vietnamese woman who rejected most of the food and liquids prepared by the hospital, refused to shower or wash her hair and would not get out of bed except to use the bathroom. Bonding Vietnamese woman who appeared not to bond with her infant. Breastfeeding Mexican American woman who didn't want to nurse, thinking colostrum was "bad" milk. (back to top) Informed Consent Mexican woman, dying of cancer who could not get hospice care because family would not allow her to see the consent form (and prognosis). (back to top) Coining Korean man who died because ER staff focussed on coining marks, thinking they were related to his coma. Folk Medicine/Fevers African American baby whose grandmother who wanted to treat his fever by making him sweat and drink chamomile tea. Medications: Improper Use Mexican woman who made poultice out of medication instead of taking it orally. (back to top)