IndexThe culture of medicineSpecific health care practicesRites of passage regarding birth and deathMen's rites of passageWomen's rites of passageThe impact of cultural traditions on health care delivery systemsAbility to provide culturally congruent careConclusionThe culture of medicineAdvances in Western medicine have been significant in recent years, but sensitivity to culture and consideration related to the delivery of health care are not proving to value the culture and tradition of medicine for indigenous peoples. For many reasons, in some cases Indigenous peoples are reluctant to pursue treatment involving mental health, particularly PTSD, childbirth, and cancer treatment. The cultural implications of indigenous peoples in the healthcare context are essential for congruent care among patients; Furthermore, taking a holistic approach to caring for an Indigenous patient would include integrating traditional Indigenous medicine with Western medicine, recognizing the importance of the patient's spiritual and medical needs as a whole, and taking the time to study their culture of medicine . We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Specific Health Practices Native American culture-specific health practices include spiritual development through harmony with nature, meditation, fasting, and nature medicines. Nature medicines would include plant and herbal medicines with or without a healer's approach. Other examples of healthcare provision include a variety of practices, ceremonies, and craft activities that connect the individual patient with his or her part or entire community. Some examples of this would be sweat lodge ceremonies, drum circles, canoe trip, gift giving, herb ceremony, mind mapping, tobacco sessions and traditional crafts (beading, making of masks, building canoes and weaving dream catchers). Rites of Passage Concerning Birth and DeathThe concepts of birth and death are closely intertwined because both are considered close to spirits in the spirit world. As we read in the text, “Native American elders convey to children the idea that their life force carries the spirits of their ancestors.” In representing birth and death, children and elders are highly valued within the tribes for their closeness to the spiritual world and for the wisdom that the spirits give them; tribal members seek the advice of elders and the intuition of children. The elders, also known as Keepers of Wisdom, bring knowledge and experience of the sacred ways: placing them as the leader of the tribe, in which they participate in multiple roles, "parent, teacher, community leader and spiritual guide". While tribal men's roles include hunting for food, defending the tribe from external threats, and leading the tribe, tribal women's roles include household chores, farming, gathering food, and raising children. established to help young people make the transition from leaving the family home to prove themselves; to prove that he can not only survive on his own, but also overcome the challenges he may face using the teachings of his elders. The Vision Quest, one of the most common rites of passage within Native North American tribes, is believed to lead to a distinct form of guidance by "forces of nature"; isolate yourself through fasting andprayer far from civilization. The challenges and experiences a boy encounters in his quest for vision heavily influence the man he will become. Women's Rites of Passage A tribal woman's rite of passage into adulthood, and another form of rite of passage for tribal men, was marriage and the birth of children. . However, due to the culturalization of modern America, the primary indicator of Native American attainment of adulthood is closely tied to financial independence. Modern rite of passage within Tribal groups have radically shifted from finding themselves to Native Americans demonstrating their cultural identity by measuring their blood count, the percentage of blood they have from a specific tribe, and carrying with them a “ Indian card” which shows their amount of blood. Additionally, Native communities do not allow members to belong to multiple tribes, even if an individual has multiple bloodlines in their DNA. Cultural traditions impact health care delivery systems. The cultural traditions of indigenous peoples impact health care delivery systems in Western medicine in a few different ways. ways. First, there has been a history of mistrust between tribal communities and health workers due to their historically negative relationship and current mistreatment. Statistically, indigenous people have low cancer survival rates because they are less likely to receive optimal treatment or surgery. Their rates of mental illness are 1.5 times higher than American populations, and they are 2 times more likely to suffer from PTSD and alcohol dependence. Cultural impact on delivery systems now includes having providers learn more about Indigenous peoples, recognize the importance of their culture, and incorporate Indigenous health beliefs into their practice. According to Lewis & Myhra, “Providers learned culturally appropriate interpersonal behaviors, which included talking less, becoming comfortable with silence, spending more time with their patients, and performing a self-criticism of their own biases and inherent beliefs.” Ability to provide culturally congruent care According to indigenous peoples there is a spiritual connection to health and well-being; that, when welcoming and caring for a traditional Native patient, the approach that healthcare providers must take is an approach that is inclusive of that patient's spiritual and medical needs. The client's overall health and well-being are considered to be directly linked to the client's balance and harmony on a physical, mental, soul or emotional and spiritual level. Any form of imbalance between these levels causes disease and discomfort; which can be alarming and concerning for Native American customers. The main cultural aspect of Native American healthcare is the incorporation of spirituality and religion during patient care. According to Karen Hill, “'Traditional medicine is a system of medicine in the same way that Western medicine is a system, in the same way that naturopathic medicine is a system,'...which shares a practice with the traditional healer Elva Jamieson on the Grand River First Nation Six Nations in Ohsweken, Ontario. 'Because it doesn't look the same, I think doctors don't know how to receive it.'” The importance of integrative medicine for indigenous peoples can be invaluable and provides them with a means to reclaim their integrity as a people. “More and more people are starting to understand that you can get a blend,” says McKinney, director of Northern Medical Services at.