Book Review #1- “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down”Chapters 1-3
- Explain why Foua Yang’s birthdate may have been different in various locations in the medical charts?
- Describe how the history of the Hmong people as discussed in chapter two may have influenced Foua and Nao Kao’s perception of the physicians and nurses who appear to be in charge of their daughter’s care?
- How do you think having an interpreter might have improved the outcomes of Lia’s numerous emergency room visits up to this point?
- Discuss the differences in conceptual frameworks that may have led Foua and Nao Kao and the caregivers at Merced County hospital to misunderstand one another during Lia’s admissions?
- How may have Foua and Nao Kao experienced cultural pain during the experience of Lia’s birth in the United States?
Students will write a typed summary of questions that pertain to weekly readings assigned to Fadiman (1997) text.
Grading will focus primarily on demonstration of your understanding and reflection on the content of the questions with ease of reading/organization as a secondary focus. Remember to use APA formatting for each book report which means there will be a cover page and reference page included with each book review. In this case, it is ok to use the first person when responding to questions that ask for your personal values/input/reflection. Answers to questions must be at least 100 words and should be typed and double spaced with 12 point font. Please include the number of the question and then include a summary of the question in your response.
Example: 1. Foua Lee and Neil Ernst appeared to finally make peace with one another when they….
Expert Solution Preview
1. Foua Yang’s birthdate may have been different in various locations in the medical charts due to cultural differences in understanding and recording birth dates. In Hmong culture, the concept of birth dates is different from Western culture. The Hmong do not consider the day of birth itself to be significant, but rather focus on the pregnancy and the time spent in the womb. This understanding is reflected in the Hmong language, where age is counted from conception, not birth.
When Foua Yang’s birthdate was recorded in the medical charts, the healthcare providers may have relied on the Western concept of birthdate, resulting in discrepancies. Additionally, the Hmong people do not have a written language, which further complicates accurate record keeping. This cultural difference in understanding and recording birth dates can lead to misunderstandings and discrepancies in the medical charts.
2. The history of the Hmong people, as discussed in chapter two, may have influenced Foua and Nao Kao’s perception of the physicians and nurses in charge of their daughter’s care. The Hmong have a long history of displacement, persecution, and limited access to healthcare. Their experiences in Laos, their home country, where they faced discrimination and had limited access to medical care, may have shaped their perception of healthcare professionals.
This history of mistrust and limited interactions with healthcare providers may have created a sense of apprehension and fear towards the medical system. Additionally, the Hmong people have their own traditional healing practices and beliefs, which may have led them to question or doubt the effectiveness and intentions of Western medicine. These factors may have influenced their perception of the physicians and nurses caring for their daughter, creating potential barriers to effective communication and understanding.
3. Having an interpreter present during Lia’s numerous emergency room visits up to this point could have greatly improved the outcomes of her care. Language barriers can significantly impact communication between healthcare providers and patients, leading to misunderstandings and potentially compromised care.
With an interpreter, healthcare providers would have been able to accurately communicate Lia’s symptoms, medical history, and concerns to her parents, and vice versa. This would have facilitated a more comprehensive understanding of Lia’s condition, enabling better decision-making and appropriate treatment.
Furthermore, an interpreter could have helped in bridging cultural gaps, explaining medical concepts in a way that Foua and Nao Kao could understand, and addressing any concerns or misconceptions they may have had. Effective communication facilitated by an interpreter could have potentially improved Lia’s healthcare experience and outcomes.
4. The differences in conceptual frameworks between Foua and Nao Kao and the caregivers at Merced County hospital may have led to misunderstandings during Lia’s admissions. Foua and Nao Kao come from a collectivist culture, where decisions are often made collectively, and there is a strong emphasis on family involvement and respect for authority figures.
On the other hand, the caregivers at the hospital operate within an individualistic framework, where decisions are typically made by the medical professionals, and the focus is on individual autonomy and independence. These differing frameworks can lead to miscommunication and conflicting expectations.
Foua and Nao Kao may have expected more active participation and collaboration in their daughter’s care, while the caregivers may have perceived their involvement as interference or noncompliance. Language and cultural barriers may have exacerbated these misunderstandings, as each party may have interpreted behaviors or statements differently based on their own conceptual frameworks.
5. Foua and Nao Kao may have experienced cultural pain during the experience of Lia’s birth in the United States. Cultural pain refers to the psychological and emotional distress that individuals experience when their cultural beliefs, practices, or values are not acknowledged or respected.
In the Hmong culture, childbirth is a ritualized and communal event, involving various spiritual practices and traditions. However, in the Western medical system, childbirth is often seen as a clinical procedure, with limited involvement of extended family members or traditional practices.
The disconnect between the Hmong cultural expectations and the Western medical practices may have caused Foua and Nao Kao to feel a sense of loss, frustration, and cultural dissonance. They may have experienced grief over not being able to follow their traditional birthing practices and the lack of understanding or acknowledgement of their cultural beliefs by the medical personnel. This cultural pain could have further strained their relationship with the healthcare providers and impacted their overall experience of Lia’s birth in the United States.
