Culture and Health Care of Cuban Americans

The world is comprised of thousands of different cultures, which change at national frontiers. The term Hispanic is used to incorporate people who descent from the central part of America who include, Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Guatemalans and other groups. These people share many aspects of heritage customary believe social forms and religious believe but have distinct differences based on their country of origin.

Description of Cuban culture

The indigenous people of Cuba blame the Spanish conquest for reducing their ethnic legacy during the colonization era. Cuban culture can be traced from the mixed cultures of the African and Spanish root. The language shared by the Cuban people is Spanish a common scenario to many Hispanic nations, although there are several dialects that have been formed over the years (William 2001). The Cuban culture is comprised of contrasting interests and factors especially the intermingling of races.

Their sense of humor is amazing and it always common to find new jokes. In their culture they do not to involve strangers in matters concerning politics or social issues of the country. Despite this, they are friendly people and so open in their communication processes. It is ordinary to see Cubans distance themselves while conversing with strangers but in very close contact while communicating with friends, coworkers and family (Richard 1995). They are fond of using physical gestures like shaking hands especially when emphasizing or using facial expression while illustrating something. While communicating, it is considered rude not to keep eye contact as many believe a person who avoids eye contact is an insincere person. The Cubans openness is impressive. People from Cuba show their emotions openly in matters relating to love and care not excluding matters that would make one be angry.

The Cubans consider the family as the most important part of the society that is why one can find up to three generations sharing a house. The Cuban culture contains unwritten rules governing how people conduct social interaction. These rules help an individual know how to seek and receive services. In health matters, each family member is entitled to an opinion while conducting consultation among each other (Sattler 1998). It is also a common scenario to see various family members attending a medical visit in support of their patient.

Healthcare beliefs of Cuba

Traditionally, all the family members were involved in decision making process dealing with ill members who need treatment. The importance of family consultation was very important as it often ensured whether or not a patient could stick on treatment. There parts of the country where traditional medical practices are still being used to treat sick people. There also people who still believe in spiritual aid to cure illness (Pérez 2007). These traditional doctors are respected as they have great knowledge and highly specialized skills and patients believed in their recommendation and appreciate their services. Even today, Cubans believe that once a patient has been given some form of recommendations by doctors it should be followed promptly because doctors are important in Cuban culture.

Healthcare problems

Cubans believe in a collective decision making process. Due to their cultural practices the healthcare state of these people is at stake. For example, an immigrant may feel overwhelmed to make decisions leading to stress because they don’t have family members to help them decide on what is good (Hatchwell, Emily & Calder 2000). They also focus on personal medical care and rely upon them for any medical health service to an extent of discontinuing treatment of the health worker leaves without introducing a new health care provider.

References

Hatchwell, G, Emily, H, & Calder, S. (2000). Cuba in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics, Culture. Oxford: Oxford university press.

Pérez, L. A. (2007). On Becoming Cuban: Identity, Nationality, and Culture H. Eugene and Lillian Youngs Lehman Series. North Carolina NC: UNC Press Books.

Richard, L. E. (1995). Encyclopedia of social work, Volume 2. Michigan: NASW Press

Sattler, J. M. (1998). Clinical and forensic interviewing of children and families: guidelines for the mental health, education, pediatric, and child maltreatment field. Michigan: University of Michigan.

William, L. (2001). Culture and customs of Cuba Culture and customs of Latin America and the Caribbean. London, Greenwood Publishing Group.