Cultural Competency - Multicultural Health Generalizations: East European
SFRY Health Beliefs
The following health beliefs are "generalizations" that may apply to some people from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY).
- Patients may be likely to want detailed explanations of tests and procedures.
- Treatment may not be considered complete without medication.
- The sick person may carry high status and may be encouraged to communicate about suffering.
- Some patients may have a fear of serious disease - approaching phobia.
- Health providers may be expected to give high significance to discussions of symptoms and complaints.
- Relatives might play an important role by giving moral and physical support.
The SFRY was formed in 1945 and comprised the states of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.
Source: SFRY: A Guide for Health Professionals, Cultural Diversity, Queensland Government Queensland Health (Australia). http://www.health.qld.gov.au/multicultural/cultdiv/sfr_yugo.asp
Albanian Illness and Healing Beliefs
- Illness is a cause of great concern for the patient's whole family. Extended family and kin are usually alerted and ready to help. Visitors come often to the hospital, bringing in food (viewed as a gift for healing) and a lot of attention.
- An Albanian patient may believe that illness is caused by unfavorable climate conditions, not eating the right food, or physical or psychological oppression.
- He/She may reduce the importance of "self", so as to focus on his/her family or nation overcoming a tragedy. Therefore, explaining the importance of taking an active role in the healing process may be helpful.
- An Albanian patient may expect to need medication in order to become healthy. He/She may also believe that intramuscularly administered medications have better results than orally administered medications.
- A sick patient may prefer sponge baths rather than daily baths or showers and may not wash his/her hair as frequently for fear of catching a cold or getting a headache.
- Furthermore, a patient may believe that draft can cause illness; hence, keeping the room warm and windows shut.
Source:
Staff Development Group, Patient and Family Education Committee. (2004, April). Culture clues: Communicating with your Albanian patient. (Online). University of Washington Medical Center. Retrieved on July 13, 2005 from http://depts.washington.edu/pfes/pdf/AlbanianCultureClue4_05.pdf
