Filipino Culture and Health Care Values

Filipino Culture, Values, and Practices in Relation to Health Care

• Intergenerational Solidarity refers to the closeness and support between different generations.
  • Structural Solidarity: Considers how geographical distance influences family interaction.
  • Association Solidarity: Focuses on the frequency of social contact and shared activities between family members.
  • Affectual Solidarity: Deals with emotional closeness, affirmation, and intimacy between family members.
  • Consensual Solidarity: Reflects agreement on opinions, values, and lifestyle.
  • Functional Solidarity: Exchanges of practical and financial support between family members.
  • Normative Solidarity: The strength of obligation felt towards other family members.

Filipino Communication Style

• Filipinos tend to express opinions diplomatically and with humility to avoid appearing arrogant.
• The tone of voice varies widely depending on language, dialect, and region.
• When speaking to elders or those of higher status, Filipinos use polite forms of speech, adding "po" at the end of phrases, sentences, or questions to demonstrate respect.
• Filipinos often communicate indirectly to prevent a loss of face and evoking “hiya” (shame) on either side of the exchange.
• They tend to avoid interrupting others and pay attention to posture, expression, and tone of voice.
• Allow brief periods of silence during conversations to allow the patient to process information.
• When interacting with familiar people, Filipinos prefer standing at an arm’s length from each other.
• Around strangers, this distance is further.
• Maintain a reasonable personal space of 1 to 2 feet, considering height. A seated position for interaction is recommended.

Filipino Family Values

• Pakikisama is a value that emphasizes getting along with others and being accepted by the community.
• Hiya (shame) is a strong cultural influence that shapes behavior and decision-making.

Health Practices in Filipino Culture

• Patron Saints for Healing:
  • St. Dymphna: Patron Saint of Depression and Mental Illness.
  • St. Peregrine: Patron Saint of Cancer Healing.
• Folk Beliefs and Practices:
  • Faith Healing: Involves blessing the body with holy water, laying on of the hands, and anointing with oil.
  • Manghihilot: A traditional healer who uses massages, medicinal plants, and bulong/orasyon (whispered prayers) to diagnose and treat illnesses.
  • Tawas (Alum) Procedure: A traditional method used to identify the cause of illness, often involving spirits, and using alum that is heated, placed on embers, and then used to anoint the affected areas.
  • Tuob/Suob (Steam Inhalation): A popular method for relieving cold symptoms, involving inhaling steam from boiling water.
  • Herbalism and Plant Medicine: The Philippines has a rich diversity of medicinal plants, with some scientifically validated for their therapeutic properties.

Obando Fertility Dance

• A festival and prayerful appeal for couples seeking children.
• Dances are performed in a long procession, initially in front of idols and then later transitioned to images of saints during Spanish colonization.

Key Facts

• The month of May has always been the season for the Fertility Dance.
• The Philippine Department of Health has endorsed 10 medicinal plants for use in herbal teas and tinctures.

Explore the rich tapestry of Filipino culture, values, and practices in relation to health care. This quiz delves into concepts such as intergenerational solidarity and the unique Filipino communication style. Test your knowledge on how these cultural aspects impact health care interactions and family dynamics.