Cultural Competence in Health Care
Alternate Healing Systems
Cultures differ considerably in their views about health and illness, and may have strong beliefs in alternate healing systems such as acupuncture among Chinese-Americans, Ayurvedic medicine among Asian-Indians, and religious/spiritual ceremonies among Hmong and Native American individuals. These systems are not always evidence-based but are frequently critical for clients' satisfaction. Some third-party payers are responding to this; the Arizona VA partly reimburses Navajo veterans receiving treatment from medicine men.
