Understanding Diversity In Health Care Essay

The Important of Understanding Diversity in Healthcare There are countless faiths, cultures and personal beliefs that define who a person is and what makes them feel whole as person. In any aspect of health care it is critical to gain a basic understanding of these different beliefs to be able to provide meaningful patient care. As a country with sometimes a philosophy of “anything goes” a health care provider can easily forget that differing beliefs can impact which treatments can used, diets will be eaten or even if medications will be taken. Buddhism is rich, wonderful faith with origins relating back to Nepal. (“About Buddhism”, 2007) A man named Shakyamuni, named Siddhartha by his parents, lived as a prince until the age of 29. He was a deeply intelligent man and sought spiritual enlightenment and to understand how the world around him was interconnected. (“About Buddhism”, 2007) It is said that Siddhartha left his home and sat under a Bodhi tree where he meditated for six years. (“About Buddhism”, 2007) After obtaining enlightenment he went to teach others the

(ElGindy, 2005) The moral codes that Buddhists follow are called The Five Moral Precepts, that emphasize not killing or harming any other being, not to steal, lie, engage in sexual misconduct or take any mind altering substances. (ElGindy, 2005) This translates into the Buddhist diet in which the Buddhist asks themselves questions like where the food came from, what is the benefit of eating the food, etc. (ElGindy, 2005) Depending on how adherently they follow Buddhism the patient (in the example of this paper), may be vegetarian, vegan, have limitations on the consumption of certain vegetables like onions or garlic, certain spices or have no dietary limitations at all, it is important to have a comfortable dialog with the patient to be able to correctly accommodate their dietary needs. (ElGindy,