Day 6: 6/15/18
During my time at Cherokee I have learned that this culture has a very high prevalence of diabetes, substance abuse, and cirrhosis. This conditions reach critical levels within the Cherokee population. I believe that these conditions are related to genetics, culture, and a deficit in health knowledge/maintenance. The Cherokee people do not trust the healthcare system, but the trust is slowly being built within their community thanks to the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority and other health programs and clinics. All of these conditions are possibly due to genetics, but I believe they have more to do with the environment and their culture. Generational trauma is a phrase we have heard many times during our visit to Cherokee. I had a basic understanding before arriving at the reservation, but I have a much better understand of it now and how it affects the Cherokee peoples' health and healthcare. It is a vicious cycle that is going to be very hard for the Cherokee people to break out of, but it was amazing to see the hope at the hospital and rehab clinic and the motivation and passion the members of the healthcare team have.The nurse has a major role in health promotion and health maintenance. Nurses provide most of the education the patient needs, and sometimes the nurse have to re-explain something to the patient that the patients was told by the doctor. The nurse has the power to really speak to the patient on their level, and make the patient feel comfortable and willing to listen. Health promotion and health maintenance are especially important in the Cherokee community where it is greatly needed.
At the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, the nurses seemed to be at the center of the health care system. They were the ones who took the time to get to know the patients, and they were able to care for the patients effectively and efficiently while still respecting their cultural needs. Outside of Cherokee, the physicians are the ones who are seen as the center of the health care system. This is a completely different perspective on healthcare. Even though the physicians are still very important in Cherokee, it is the nurses that the Cherokee people grow to trust; not the physicians. This is a huge difference from our health care system. Oftentimes, the patients will trust the physician and not the nurse. I have seen this situation happen multiple times throughout my nursing school clinicals. It was really awesome to see the nurses get the credit and recognition that they deserve at Cherokee.
At the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, the nurses seemed to be at the center of the health care system. They were the ones who took the time to get to know the patients, and they were able to care for the patients effectively and efficiently while still respecting their cultural needs. Outside of Cherokee, the physicians are the ones who are seen as the center of the health care system. This is a completely different perspective on healthcare. Even though the physicians are still very important in Cherokee, it is the nurses that the Cherokee people grow to trust; not the physicians. This is a huge difference from our health care system. Oftentimes, the patients will trust the physician and not the nurse. I have seen this situation happen multiple times throughout my nursing school clinicals. It was really awesome to see the nurses get the credit and recognition that they deserve at Cherokee.
I have seen the same issues with diabetes while being here. Just the other day while I was in the geriatric clinic there were two patients who both had diabetes and luckily with help from their care team they were compliant. I overheard a story of an elderly woman that came in with her sugar above 900 who was sent to the ER and then transferred to a higher level of care. According to those in the clinic this is a more common occurrence than compliance is. I was able to see the resources they provide and while they talked to the individuals they provided them with realistic changes they could make to help manage their diabetes.
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting to see how they cater to the culture in every aspect.
Great blog!