In Anne Fadiman’s, A Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, there’s a conflicting battle going on between cultures. While it might never be specifically stated, Anne Fadiman attempts to convey a neutral understanding to her readers of the Hmong beliefs and culture alongside of the culture of biomedicine western society is mostly familiar with. While the Hmong beliefs and practices in medicine are taboo to western society, readers gradually see that Hmong medicine is just as equal or more powerful than biomedicine that we’re so familiar with. It’s an important concept to understand in this book is that the doctors are there to treat Lia’s disease, not precisely concerned with Lia as a person. Hmong medicine seems to be more related to in helping
For example, if the physicians were to ask the Lees how severe they thought the sickness was and whether it would have a short or long course, Fadiman believes they would have said, “Why are you asking us those questions? If you are a good doctor, you should the answers yourself” (Fadiman 260). If a person were to develop an attitude such as this because he or she was asked these questions, then it begins to compromise the doctor’s position in terms of intelligence and ability to develop a better relationship with his or her patient. Therefore, Arthur Kleinman has three recommendations for cross-cultural medicine, specifically to Lia’s case. He believes that compliance should be eliminated as a term because it suggests that the
In Kevin t. Keith’s article “doctors should stop treatment that is futile” He addresses his argument on why doctors should should stop futile treatment in a persistent tone.which is addressed to the healthcare network and the families of terminally ill patients. He presented a fair argument with questionable facts, ok anecdotes, and substandard credibility. The facts he uses are questionable at best due to the fact that he has no backing to the facts in his argument. Such as when he states that ”most hospitals and nursing homes have tried not to refuse care...because it leads to bad publicity.”
Two adults entered the hospital room which housed the man by the name of Gunther Cardigan, who was pushing 83. Although it may be considered cruel, there wasn’t a soul on the continent who would find surprise in seeing Mr. Cardigan attached to life support. As one may expect from a chronic alcoholic, he had been in and out of the hospital frequently enough such that one may even jest that he was a regular. After accumulating one too many misdemeanors, a judge had him sent to rehab; this was encouraged by a disproportionate amount of hospital staff who had grown tired of threatening him over the various dangers of excessive drinking. Despite being generally successful, rehabilitation would not undo the damage to Mr. Cardigan’s internal organs, and his son, one of the adults looming over his bedside, would begrudgingly offer up one of his kidneys for a transplant after being declared a match – yet this was not the reason Gunther Cardigan would be lying on his deathbed.
While clearly sympathizing with Lia lee and her physicians, Fadiman provides a descriptive account of the complex situation and at the same time challenges one’s perspectives on spirituality and
The case of Lia Lee can be used holistically to showcase the negative effects which a culture and language barrier can produce between doctor and patient. It can reveal how communication and cultural sensitivity can aid in medical practice. Nevertheless, Lia’s case also shows the need for doctors and healthcare practitioners to learn more of about a culture so that treatment may be administered smoothly and without complete comprehension of the patient and their
“Clinical gaze”, a term coined by French philosopher Michel Foucault from The Birth of the Clinic, deals with the transformation of doctor-patient relationships over time. Since the birth of modern medicine, Foucault states that doctors tend to view their patients more as a disease and less as a person. Before the improvements in science were made during the 19th century, doctor carefully listened to their patients and heavily relied on their narratives to make a diagnosis. Not only were these narratives were a central part to the doctor-patient relationship, but they also helped build a sense of trust within the doctor and individuality within the patient. Doctors were viewed more an “advisor” and “friend” rather than a complete authoritative
During the session Dr. Miller sees that, indeed, Don is impaired on multiple levels. During the therapy Don admits to his drinking problem and asks Dr. Miller for a second opinion on his treatment with Dr. Cooper. It is also important to note that Don admitted to having suicidal ideation during the therapy session with Dr. Miller. Don leaves therapy in a rushed manner after Dr. Miller reiterates the reason that they were in therapy together, pointing out it was not to assess his treatment from Dr. Cooper. The ethical dilemmas presented in this vignette stem from Dr. Miller’s willingness to have a couples therapy session with Don and Betty.
Making a decision is a one thinking process of selection to produce a result for a final choice. A story of a young doctor who wants a family to make a final decision on medical treatments of one dying patient is an example of “Letting Doctor Make the Tough Decisions” by Pauline W. Chen. This article presents about how difficult it is to make a decision between a doctor and patients, and how medical decisions should be made in this situation. By doctors are a main audience of this article. In additions, Chen uses 3 rhetorical strategies on the article, by 3 rhetorical strategies are Logos that is using logic, Pathos that is using emotions and Ethos that is using credibility of the author.
However, his false bravado and self-created grandiose image, will most likely impede his ability to accept the needed treatment and potentially diminish the likelihood for a positive prognosis. A thorough familiarity with his diagnoses, background, cultural influences, treatment history and motivation to fully engage in the process are needed to develop an effective treatment plan for this young man. II.
Atul Gawande in his article “Whose body is it, anyway?” introduced couple of cases, which discussed a controversial topic, doctors dealing with patients and making important medical decisions. These are difficult decisions in which people might have life or death choices. Who should make the important decisions, patients or doctors? Patients don’t usually know what is better for their health and while making their decisions, they might ignore or don’t know the possible side effects and consequences of these decisions.
William K. Clifford’s “The Ethics of Belief” is an essay about justification and how we are morally required to prove our beliefs. Clifford’s theory throughout the essay was “It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.” Clifford thinks that it is a moral obligation for you to confirm each of your beliefs with sufficient proof, no matter how questionable or insignificant the beliefs may be. I believe he thinks this because beliefs have serious effects and consequences on others.
The Ethics of Belief is a argument against Pascalian Wagers written by the British philosopher W. K. Clifford. In his essay, he writes that holding beliefs involves ethical principles, and that we are morally wrong if we hold beliefs without sufficient evidence to support them. In Clifford’s first illustration, he describes the story of a ship-owner. The ship-owner is in possession of a ship he suspects to be unfit for sail, but pushes asides his doubts for the belief that Providence will care for his ship, and sends it out to sea. Whether or not the ship succeeds in it’s journey, the ship-owner’s choice to push aside his doubts was morally wrong.
The Dalai Lama is one of the most influential people today, and he has inspired many with his words. Despite this, there is a lot to the man that many people don 't know. Here are some of them. Stay tuned for part 2, coming soon! Number Fifteen:
Ocean of Wisdom” that what simply means the Dalai Lama, has one of the most famous, recognizable face and character in the world, so charm and familiar, he seems to be everyone's hero and leader. Yet Tibetan and the press call him a "god" (he says he is no one special) or a "living Buddha" (he says he is just a human being who happens to be a Tibetan and chooses to be a monk). In some circles he is highly respected for his scholarship and tackling poverty and fighting ignorance. In other circles he is accused and ridiculed as a dim bulb, hypocrisy and lack of wisdom. He is a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and ecological activist who inspire millions, yet he is also demonized as a tyrant who incites violence, hiding under the Cloak of Religion.
