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Biomedical subjects

K Huttlinger

Publications and source records attributed to K Huttlinger.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Elder care among Mexican American families.

This exploratory study describes caregiving experiences of elderly family members as perceived by eight Mexican American women caregivers and characterizes the ideas that some Mexican Americans have about elder care. A qualitative approach, using open-ended questions, revealed a cultural picture that reflected a very rich cultural heritage. This picture includes the importance of the family's responsibility to care for its elder members and describes family commitments that reach beyond obligation. It also portrays a complex system of cultural beliefs and values that are based on Mexican American tradition. The themes of reciprocity and point of reckoning emerged as two descriptive characteristics of the Mexican American family in the southwestern United States that form the basis for the restructuring of a woman's responsibilities during middle age. This study indicated that the bicultural lens through which the caregiver views the world may differ markedly from that of the elderly family member.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

"Doing battle": a metaphorical analysis of diabetes mellitus among Navajo people.

Effective communication with patients and their family members forms the foundation of a therapeutic relationship. This is particularly important when the occupational therapist, other health professionals, and the patient are from different cultural backgrounds. This paper describes one aspect of the findings of a ethnographic study of chronic diabetes among the Navajo people (referred to here as Dine'). It focuses on the dominant metaphorical images that were used by the informants to describe their illness experiences. The data suggest that diabetes can be considered a metaphor for larger social changes in the life-style and traditions (e.g., away from sheepherding as a means of basic subsistence to obtaining urban-centered employment) of native Americans and their effects on the Dine'. Implications of our findings include the importance of metaphorical communication for perceptions of compliance, powerlessness, and patient and therapist satisfaction with the therapeutic relationship.

Arizona↗
PubMedDate not supplied

At home with diversity.

This article describes the ways in which knowledge and understanding of culture can help the health care provider better plan for in-home care of patients from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. A presentation of basic value and belief systems is followed by examples of misunderstandings that arise in communication. The role of the family, traditional healing, and nutritional considerations are given with some examples of home remedies. Basic cultural guidelines for use in assessing the patient and family are also given.

Community Health Nursing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increasing minority participation in biomedical and nursing research.

There is an increased need for minority representation in biomedical and nursing research. Factors such as lack of suitable mentors, inadequate academic preparation, and poor self-image contribute to minorities not seeking graduate education and careers in research. This article presents an overview of a federally funded research project, Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS), that provided opportunities for Native Americans to participate in and gain experience with a research project. The project involved a qualitative study that investigated diabetes mellitus in the Navajo and Hopi peoples. Students were trained in all aspects of the research process including data collection and analysis and the preparation of final reports. Some of the perplexing issues and concerns that surround minority participation in research are discussed. MBRS programs can provide a model and means for nurse researchers to conduct worthwhile investigations and provide research training for minority students. The authors use their experience with this study to encourage more involvement by nursing programs in projects such as this, thus enhancing minority opportunities in nursing research.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Understanding cultural diversity through a student exchange program.

Nursing curriculum must include multicultural experiences to prepare nurses to work with the nation's ethnically diverse population. To meet this need, a pilot project was instituted between two Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. It was hypothesized that students could develop new cultural perspectives by experiencing nursing with different ethnic groups. Two senior students from each institution were selected for the experience. The exchange program provided them with opportunities to assess and care for health problems in aggregates and families with whom they might not have had practice. The authors recommend that these types of programs be encouraged to introduce students to practice in settings and with cultures other than their own.

Arizona↗