Day 6- Culture Differences

 

I tried to show respect by being open minded and remembering that we were guests in their community.  I also tried to use the Spanish that I know so thta patients could feel more comfortable.  Even though I am not fluent, trying to communicate in their language felt like a way to show respect and appreciation for their culture.  I also made sure to listen to people's stories and experiences instead of assuming I understood their situation.

One ethical tension I noticed was seeing how limited the resources were compared to what we are used to in the United States.  Sometimes it felt hard knowing that we could not provide every medication or service that someone might need.  It made me think about how different healthcare can be depending on where someone lives and what resources are available.

I processed these feelings by reminding myself that the goal was to do the best we could with the resources we had.  I also talked with teammates and thought about how even small things, like providing dental care or education, could still make a meaningful difference.  It helped me focus on the positive impact we were able to make rather than only thinking about what we couldn't provide.

This experience made me realize that I sometimes assume people have easier access to healthcare than they do.  Growing up in America, it is easy to assume that clinics, medications, and basic healthcare services are always available.  Being here showed me that many communities face challenges like transportation, cost, and limited resources that make getting care much harder.

I learned that delivering care with limited resources requires creativity, teamwork, and problem solving.  Healthcare providers must think differently and work with what they have instead of relying on having every medication or tool available.  It showed me that good care is not only about technology or resources, but also about compassion and adaptability.

This experience helped me better understand how social factors like income, transportation, and location can affect someone's health.  For example, learning that many people only make around $5 a day and may not have a car shows how difficult it can be to prioritize healthcare.  It made me realize that health disparities are often connected to larger social and economic challlenges.

After this experience, I will think more about the barriers patients may face when accessing care.  I will ask myself whether patients have transportation, financial resources, or support systems that allow them to follow through with treatment plans.  This experience reminded me that healthcare is not just about diagnosing and treating illness, but also about understanding the patient's life and circumstances.