The Spirit Catches You Exam Flashcards

Cultural Collision

• Culture is central to understanding the Hmong and their beliefs surrounding health and illness, impacting interactions with Western medicine.
• Hmong traditionally resided in mountainous regions of Laos, practicing agriculture focused on rice, vegetables, herbs, with occasional pork or chicken consumption.
• Most ailments are believed to stem from spiritual causes; traditional healing methods include skin rubbing, vacuum creation with ignited alcohol, and soul retrieval by shamans (tvix neeb).
• Cultural clashes arise due to Hmong beliefs about disease origins, taboos against certain medical procedures, and familial power structures conflicting with Western medical practices.
• Incidents of animal sacrifice for spiritual rituals led to misunderstandings and tensions with American neighbors, amplifying cultural misunderstandings.
• Lia Lee's experience exemplifies the tragic consequences of cultural collision, highlighting the need for improved cultural understanding and cooperation in healthcare.

Cultural Compromise

• Fadiman promotes a model of cooperation between doctors and patients, focusing on understanding personal narratives related to health.
• Hmong perspective values both Western medicine and spiritual healing through shamanic practices, as emphasized by Foua’s beliefs about the influence of the soul on health.
• The refusal of doctors to allow spiritual practices and medication adjustments created barriers to engaging in cultural compromise.
• Lia Lee's former hospital adopted cooperative practices in an effort to improve relationships and outcomes between Hmong families and healthcare providers.

Power

• Hmong refugees face diminished power and autonomy in the U.S. compared to their independent lives in Laos.
• Economic dependency on welfare limits self-sufficiency; job opportunities are scarce without language skills.
• Fear of the American legal system differs markedly from traditional Hmong practices, impacting parents’ authority in healthcare decisions.
• Hmong parents lost the ultimate decision-making capacity regarding their children's health to medical professionals wielding state power.

Knowledge

• Power dynamics exist in the valuation of knowledge, with Western medical understanding often viewed as superior to Hmong practices.
• Fadiman acknowledges that while she empathizes with the Lees, Western medicine is still a more privileged knowledge framework despite potential flaws.
• Acknowledgment of possible medical mistakes leading to Lia’s condition raises questions about the best interests of patients regarding knowledge prioritization.
• The long-term care provided by the Lees contradicts the notion of medical superiority, suggesting that emotional support can be as impactful as medical interventions.

Family

• Lia's story highlights the profound strength of familial bonds in Hmong culture, contrasting with typical American practices.
• Unlike many American families, the Lees dedicated 26 years to caring for Lia at home, maintaining her dignity through meticulous daily care and annual birthday celebrations.
• Their commitment and love exemplify the cultural values surrounding family and caregiving within the Hmong community.