[CametoitlateTexan]

Received an assignment today to report on African American health beliefs and practices as they relate to patient care. Anyone have any thoughts on resources or how to provide culturally competent care ?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[kiyatylese]

If you are in nursing school, we have chapters on different cultures in our Fundamentals book and also in our Maternity/ OB book.

[CametoitlateTexan]

Thanks,

I suppose I should have said that I already looked in my texts. Just trying to tap into the vast experience of those who vist this site.

[Indy]

Check out some nursing journals. One that I can't remember the name of, something like "journal of nursing research" always seemed to have good stuff in it like ethnographic studies and such.

You might consider asking real people around you if they mind being used as references, and conducting interviews.

[kiyatylese]

try this: www.raceandhealth.hhs.gov
It was posted as a reference in one of my nursing books.

[kiyatylese]

ok, I just tried that website I just posted and it did not work.....

[TheCommuter]

As a black person, here are some things that are culturally relevant to providing health care to African-Americans.

1. Direct eye contact may be interpreted as rude
2. Person may seek home remedies or witch doctor before seeking professional help
3. Due to matriarchal family structures, person may seek advice from a trusted older female relative before seeking professional help
4. High fat, high sodium diet is commonly consumed. There's a preference for fried foods
5. Personal touch is perfectly acceptable among close friends and relatives, but is offensive among strangers and acquaintances
6. There's a tendency to be present-oriented and take the day as it comes. Person might be late to appointments since punctuality isn't stressed

[mandana]

I'm glad you're asking. This website has some good information

http://www.blackhealthcare.com/

And I think that every nurse should be very knowledgable about the Tuskegee Syphilis experiement. It was only 34 years ago!!!!!

http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/.../jul/tuskegee/


Amanda

[CametoitlateTexan]

Commuter and Mandana,

Thank you so much for your replies. I look forward to perusing these websites. Also, thank you for your personal insights.

I believe there is a great deal that a I can learn as I progress through this and other forthcoming information.

Thanks again!

[multicollinearity]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

As a black person, here are some things that are culturally relevant to providing health care to African-Americans.

1. Direct eye contact may be interpreted as rude
2. Person may seek home remedies or witch doctor before seeking professional help
3. Due to matriarchal family structures, person may seek advice from a trusted older female relative before seeking professional help
4. High fat, high sodium diet is commonly consumed. There's a preference for fried foods
5. Personal touch is perfectly acceptable among close friends and relatives, but is offensive among strangers and acquaintances
6. There's a tendency to be present-oriented and take the day as it comes. Person might be late to appointments since punctuality isn't stressed

Could you expand on #1? I cannot imagine not looking someone, anyone in the eye when talking to them. It would feel rude to me, as though I'm ignoring them, or not wishing to talk with them. Can you help me understand?