In
many American Indian communities, a dual health care system exists. This
health care system is made up of the aspects dealing with both western medicine
and the beliefs that have been passed down through generations. This dual
health care system leads confusion and incomplete results in the healthcare
field.
The Indian culture consists mainly of giving
everything that you have to those around you. This includes gift giving,
and also lending your time to the tribe and family. The Indian community
lives in close integration with the environment. The environment plays a
major role in the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of an American
Indian’s life.
Many American Indians have had
encounters that have led to their health concerns or subjective symptoms not
being taken seriously. (Browne and Fiske, 2001).
The main problem that
the Native American culture encounters in the western health care setting is
the fact that many traditional practices are not allowed in the medical
facilities. Some American Indians express their experience as bein on the
outside and “intruding” when
coming to the health care system.
“I think that White
women are more vocal, their families know one another. …….We don’t socialize together so. It is us and it is them. And we feel like we are using, like we
are intruders on their system…..”
(Browne and Fiske, 2001).
Some of the differences in American Indian
beliefs from western cultures are:
+direct eye contact may be perceived as rude
+speaks in a low tone of voice and expects the listener to pay attention
+prefers light touches on the hand instead of a firm handshake
+use medicine men or shaman as healers