Question

In a well-organized, 1 - 2 page paper (500 words minimum), explore a culture that you may encounter in the medical office. Identify the culture and discuss some differences, background, and belief systems that the medical assistant may encounter while interviewing the patient. How can you prepare for the patient visit? Give at least one example of a change you would make in order to meet the needs of the patient. What are some suggestions that you may make in the office that would have a positive impact on the patient's visit?

Answer 1

Arabic culture and Medical Assistant:

A Medical Assistant may have to encounter with many patients from Arabic culture , especially in certain states of U.S they are more in number. In the state of Michigan , fastest growing population and one of the largest minority group are Arabs. An Arab is a semetic person whose Anticedents were from Arabia. A Medical Assistant have to be aware about Arab culture to deal with them in the medical office effectively.

Customs, life style, arts, back ground and habits that characterize a particular society or nation is called a culture. Arabic culture largely influence health beliefs, life style and behaviour of the patients from these countries. Medical Assistant should have the basic knowledge about the  cultural group to promote patient satisfaction in the medical office. 92% of Arab population are in the Muslim religion and others belong to Christianity, jewism etc. Although the immigrants from different geographical location that extent a whole of Middle East countries,they have a uniformity in culture.  

Lack of insurance coverage, financial difficulties, transportation problems restricts the majority of Arab population from accessing preventive care and screening facilities. Certain things have to take care by the Medical Assistants when dealing with Arabic patients, such as

* Use physical contact and eye contact should be minimum between the health care provider and an Arabic patient

* If the patient is female, then a male Doctor have to speak through her spouse.

* The physical examination should conduct by the same gender health care provider

* In the Holy month of Ramdan , Health care providers and Medical assistance have to be more respectful while dealing with the Arab ptients.

* Health care providers have to be aware about Certain dietary restrictions of the Arabic patients. Example : use of halal chicken.

Change in the medical office:

Language is the another barrier for most of the Arabic patient. Many may hesitate to come forward for receiving health services due to difficulty with English language. An availability of an interpreter in the Medical office , may help the physician and Medical Assistants and other health care providers to deal with such Arabic patients effectively , especially in the clinics.  

To make a positive impact in the patiens from an Arabic culture:

Medical Assistants or receptionist, who recieve an Arabic patient and his family in the front office of a clinic or a Health care setting can great them in the Arabic language or the traditional Islamic greating. Along with this , the respectful behaviour with minimum eye contact and physical contact with provision of necessary privacy may impact them .