Culture, Ethnicity and Chronic Conditions by Charles Agyemang Ama de-Graft Aikins

Author:Charles Agyemang, Ama de-Graft Aikins [Charles Agyemang, Ama de-Graft Aikins]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Patient Care, Health Care Delivery, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
ISBN: 9781134913800
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Published: 2016-04-08T04:00:00+00:00

5. Conclusion

Behavioral and cognitive models do not adequately account for the social and cultural variations in health behaviors. The strength of this methodology is that it can elicit an understanding of patient’s views that are critical to improving sustained treatment adherence. Explanatory models of illness are significant for patient care for two reasons: (1) understanding patients’ explanatory models of illness can lead to the development of culturally appropriate treatment plans addressing lifestyles, illness concerns, and patients’ priorities in the context of their daily lives (McSweeney, Allan, and Mayo 1997). This may in turn help in motivating patients’ adherence to medical recommendations (Garrity 1981) and; (2) Explanatory models of illness may shed light on patients’ cultural beliefs with subsequent improvement in the doctor-patient communication and relationship, because discordance between patients and their physicians in belief systems may be the reason for poor communication (Betancourt, Carrillo, and Green 1999; Bokhour et al. 2012). An individual’s explanatory models are subjective and personally created constructs of their environment, culture, and interpretations. These explanatory models are therefore potentially modifiable with exposure to new knowledge. Information from this study can be used to develop better patient-centered education materials that would address the misconceptions about HTN (e.g. it can be cured with traditional medicine) and its treatment. Easily accessible information on early detection, risk factors, and treatment is lacking. Health education directed at behavior change requires a thorough understanding of HTN beliefs and practices of the target population. To optimize treatment and self-management strategies, intervention efforts must be congruent with the individual’s conceptualization of his/her illness.

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