Family, Culture, Medicine

A Problem-Based Learning Case

Author:	Deborah Engelen-Eigles Department of Sociology / Women and Gender Studies Century College debbie.engelen@century.edu
Abstract:	This four-part problem-based learning case examines cultural conflicts between Western medicine and non-Western traditional healing practices. Students consider notions of cultural relativism and ethnocentrism through the lens of social institutions, including the family and the medical system. After an introductory scenario, students are asked to assume the roles of ethics committee members of a national nursing professional organization to provide advice to a member chapter confronting a difficult clinical situation. Student work involves individual and group assignments, written products, and oral presentations. While developed for a course on the sociology of the family, the case could easily be adapted to other sociology courses such as social problems, sociology of culture, and sociology of medicine, as well as disciplines such as public health and social work.
Objectives:	Gain an introduction to a sociological approach to the study of culture. Explore the significant ways families are repositories and transmitters of culture, as well as how culture shapes families' relationships and practices. Apply knowledge of culture and families in the specific context of the medical system. Apply knowledge of culture and families in advocating for appropriate and culturally competent child protective services and policies. Gain familiarity with aspects of the structure and role of professional organizations. Practice critical thinking and oral and written communication skills. Practice and evaluate effective group process.
Keywords:	Family; culture; cultural competence; non-western medicine; traditional medicine; healing practices; professional practice; immigrant; Mien; Yao; Laos
Topical Area:	Ethics, Policy issues, Social issues, Social justice issues
Educational Level:	Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, Professional (degree program), Clinical education
Formats:	PDF
Type/Method:	Analysis (Issues), Dilemma/Decision, Discussion, Problem-Based Learning, Role-Play
Language:	English
Subject Headings:	Sociology Medicine (General) Nursing Anthropology Public Health
Date Posted:	8/19/2011
Date Modified:	N/A
Copyright:	Copyright held by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Please see our usage guidelines, which outline our policy concerning permissible reproduction of this work.

Teaching Notes

Case teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience and how the case may be taught, a case analysis or answer key, and references.

Download Teaching Notes

I found your site while redesigning a graduate level nursing course entitled Psychological Issues for Advanced Practice Nursing. Thanks so very much for sharing these beautiful cases and guidance for how to use them. As a relatively new faculty member in a topic area I love but experience challenges for helping students who may be more diagnostic and procedure oriented to learn about the impact of psychosocial issues on health and health outcomes, I am most grateful!

Jo Robins
Nursing
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
jwrobins@vcu.edu
3/29/2012

Name:
Email:
Department:
Institution:
City State:
Comments:
	Enter Security Code: