Question

How do various religious, cultural, and spiritual beliefs affect the patient's perception of (1) how he or she will relate the symptoms to the caregiver and (2) the care the patient receives? How will this influence the diagnosis?

Answer 1

Answer: The various religious, cultural and spiritual beliefs affect the patient's perception as people have different faith so as their beliefs. For example Many of people believe in herbal medicine as in their culture it is given more important. So, for any kind of disease or health issues they will first follow their home remedies i.e. herbal remedies to cure it. Once it doesn't cure or extends to more serious issues then they would prefer a doctor. This makes case more complicated. This is the general example that how the cultural or religious beliefs affects the health of the patients.

Today's world is full with diverse range of people everywhere. So, at present it has become need that healthcare professionals should have self knowledge regarding cultural competence. Sometimes Healthcare professionals doesn't meet the expectations of the patients due to cultural competence.

These things also influences the diagnosis as most of the people doesn't consider symptoms as a part of disease due to thert beliefs. This makes things more worse as they are unable to identify the major issues.