This document discusses several considerations related to poverty, religion, ethnicity, and their impact on medical treatment and outcomes. It notes that those living in poverty often cannot afford health insurance and are more likely to develop heart disease due to increased risk factors. It provides examples of perspectives from different religions on organ transplants and transfusions. It also gives examples of beliefs and preferences among Chinese, Muslim, Hispanic, and Vietnamese ethnic groups regarding modern medicine and how these may affect treatment approaches.

1. Medical Treatment
for Cardiology
Recognizing and
Understanding
Power and Culture
Considerations

2. Poverty in America
Many Americans living at or below poverty level cannot afford
health insurance.
Without public assistance, many Americans living at or below
poverty level tend to:
 Become ill more often
 Die at a younger age

3. Individuals with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to
develop heart disease.
Risk factors are more prevalent in individuals with lower
income, which could increase the chances of heart disease.
Some risk factors include:
 Smoking
 High blood pressure
 Elevated cholesterol
 Stress

4. Considerations of
Religion/Spirituality/
Non-Spirituality Related
to Healthcare

5. Transplants and Transfusions
Most religions believe transplants, organ donations, and
transfusions are the patient’s choice.
Some of these religions include:
 African Methodist Episcopal  Islam
 Amish  Judaism
 Buddhism  Mennonite
 Christianity  Moravian
 Christian Church  Mormon
 Christian Science  Seventh-Day Adventist
 Greek Orthodox  Quakers
 Hinduism  Unitarian Universalist
 Independent Conservative
Evangelical
(UC Davis Health System, 2011)

6. Difference of Opinion
 Jehovah's Witnesses oppose blood
transfusions, but support an individual’s
choice to have a transplant. However, all
blood must be removed from the organs
or tissues before being transplanted.
 Shintos believe a deceased body is
impure, dangerous, and powerful;
injuring a dead body is a serious crime.
Receiving a heart transplant is difficult
for a Shinto as the Shinto faith opposes
removing an organ.
(UC Davis Health System, 2011)

7. Considerations of
Diverse Ethnicity
and its Role in
Healthcare

8. Different ethnic groups have different beliefs
regarding modern medicine.
It is important to be aware of these differences
and how they may affect medical decision-
making.

9. Examples of
Perspectives in
Healthcare based
on Identity of
Ethnicity

10. Chinese
 Take medications only until symptoms are relieved.
 If symptoms are not obvious, it is probable that
medications will not be taken.
 Protect the elderly from bad news, as the Chinese
believe discussing death or dying is bad luck.
 Medications are thought to be aversive.
 Cautious about side effects; therefore, adjusting
dosage amounts to minimize those effects.
 Believe in traditional Chinese medicine for long-term
treatment.
(Tom, L. A. 1998)

11. Muslim
 Think doctors play a small role in healing
as Imams (a person in an Islamic
leadership position) have a greater impact
in improving an individual’s health.
 Believe once treatment becomes futile, it is
no longer mandatory.
 Encourage a living will with “do not
resuscitate” orders if brain death occurs.
(Mitchum, R. 2011)

12. Hispanic
 Are concerned about drug addiction while taking
medicines, and this can lead to reluctance in
taking them long term.
 Believe when the symptoms disappear they are
cured.
 Families prefer to use home remedies and may
consult a folk healer.
(Sunstrom, 2006)

13. Vietnamese
 Doctors are greatly respected. Diagnosis
and treatment are expected at the first
visit.
 Patients can be uncomfortable with
diagnostic tests and invasive lab tests.
 Do not trust doctors who cannot diagnosis
symptoms quickly.
 Feel blood loss will make one sicker, which
leads to a fear of surgery.

14. Vietnamese
Continued….
 Believe removal of organs alters the internal
balance; therefore, this is reserved as a last
resort.
 Believe medicine doses are measured with
American or European body weight in mind;
therefore, Vietnamese individuals self-adjust
dosages.
 Believe medicine should cure the illness
immediately. Injections are preferred over
prescriptions.
(Gordon, Bernadett, Evan, Bernadett & Dang, 2006)

15. Summary
These are a few examples of the differences
between different races, religions, and
ethnic groups.
It is extremely important to know as many
details as possible about the individuals
present in order to better prepare for the
upcoming assignment.

16. References
 Gordon, S., Bernadett, M., Evan, D., Bernadett, N., &
Dang, L. (2006). Vietnamese culture: Influences and
implications for health care. Retrieved from
http://www.molinahealthcare.com.
 Mitchum, R. (2011). Finding the muslim view on medicine.
Retrieved from
http://sciencelife.uchospitals.edu/2011/08/15.
 Sunstrom, R. (2006). medical spanish cultural education
for healthcare workers. Retrieved from
http://www.uwlax.edu.
 Tom, L. A. (1998). Health and health care for chinese-
american elders. Retrieved from
http://www.stanford.edu/group/ethnoger/chinese.html.
 UC Davis Health System. (2011). Lower socioeconomic
status linked with heart disease despite improvements in
other risk factors. Sacramento, California: Retrieved from
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/news/newsroom/56
60.