Overseas Medical Centers Report, Essay Example

Clinical studies conducted in varying overseas medical centers report different cultural approaches to pain. For example in Vietnam, S.E. Asia Urban hospitals were found.. ” Over a 15-day period, the Vietnamese patients were given, on average, 0.9 mg of morphine equivalent units as compared to 30.2 mg given to those in the United States.” (Lash, 2002). Interestingly it was determined that only 8% of Vietnamese patients complained about inadequate treatment; contrasted to 80% in the USA. Vietnamese patients appeared to have a very good knowledge on the severity of injuries and the amount of pain that these represented.  Certain historical pre-determinations may be owing to experiences gained within the many wars and confrontations experienced by the Vietnamese people. Another factor is that of religion and spiritual belief that comes from the Buddhist faith. The people extol great confidence in their Doctors, consider ” A strong history of privation due to war, and a pervasive Buddhist tradition, whose first tenet is ‘All life is suffering,’ may have colored the expectation of the Vietnamese patients,” said Carragee, who has worked as a physician on several projects in Southeast Asia in recent years” (Caragee, 1997).

Sensory Integration

Perhaps best described by Dr Fernette Eide, University of Washington as ” Sensory integration disorders are central nervous system disorders characterized by imbalance among the primary sensations of sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell. Symptoms of sensory integration dysfunction have been known to occur in a wide array of disease conditions such as vertigo, deafness, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and peripheral neuropathy”  (Eide, 2003). Ayres Model of sensory integration made the following observations:-

Near senses are considered more important in the overall organization of the Nervous system; as opposed to far senses more associated with vision and hearing (Kathlyn L. Reed, 1999)

Works Cited

Caragee, E. (1997, April 1). Culture May Influence Patients’ Perception of Painkiller Effectiveness . Retrieved 10 27, 2009, from Cancer Network: http://www.cancernetwork.com/display/article/10165/97358?verify=0

Eide, F. (2003, 9 3). Sensory Integration- Current Concepts & Practical Implications. Retrieved 10 27, 2009, from Neurolearning: http://www.neurolearning.com/aota.pdf

Kathlyn L. Reed, S. N. (1999). Concepts of Occupational Therapy. In S. N. Kathlyn L. Reed, Concepts of Occupational Therapy. Maryland USA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Lash, K. (2002, 12). Culture and Pain. Retrieved 10 27, 2010, from Pain Clinical Update: http://www.iasp-pain.org/AM/AMTemplate.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=7578&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm