A client whose culture is different from yours

Sample Solution

I interviewed my neighbor, Mrs. Jones, who is an African American woman. I interviewed her on three domains of the Organizing Framework:

• Health-related beliefs and practices: Mrs. Jones believes that it is important to eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and get enough sleep. She also believes in the power of prayer and faith to heal.
• Communication style: Mrs. Jones is a direct communicator who is not afraid to speak her mind. She is also very expressive and uses a lot of gestures when she talks.
• Social organization: Mrs. Jones is a very active member of her community. She is involved in her church, her neighborhood association, and her local chapter of the NAACP.

Literature Review I reviewed the literature on African American health beliefs and practices. I found that African Americans are more likely to believe in the power of prayer and faith to heal than white Americans. They are also more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, such as herbal remedies and massage therapy. I also found that African Americans are more likely to be direct communicators than white Americans. They are also more likely to be expressive and use a lot of gestures when they talk. Comparison and Contrast The data I obtained from my interview with Mrs. Jones is consistent with what I found in the literature. Mrs. Jones believes in the power of prayer and faith to heal, and she uses CAM therapies. She is also a direct communicator who is not afraid to speak her mind. Recommendations Based on my interview with Mrs. Jones and my review of the literature, I have the following recommendations for clinical practice, research, and the health-care organization:

• Clinical practice: Healthcare providers should be aware of the cultural beliefs and practices of African Americans. They should also be respectful of Mrs. Jones's direct communication style.
• Research: Researchers should conduct more studies on the health beliefs and practices of African Americans. They should also study the effectiveness of CAM therapies for African Americans.
• Health-care organization: The health-care organization should provide culturally competent care to African Americans. This includes providing education about health beliefs and practices, as well as respecting Mrs. Jones's direct communication style.

Value of this exercise This exercise was valuable for my current and future practice. It helped me to learn more about the cultural beliefs and practices of African Americans. It also helped me to develop a better understanding of Mrs. Jones's communication style. This knowledge will help me to provide better care to African American patients in the future. Conclusion I believe that this exercise was a valuable learning experience. I learned a lot about the cultural beliefs and practices of African Americans. I also developed a better understanding of Mrs. Jones's communication style. This knowledge will help me to provide better care to African American patients in the future.