The Filipino Culture, Annotated Bibliography Example

Mulder, N. (1994). Filipino Culture and Social Analysis. Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints, (42)1.

In this article, Mulder addresses the healthcare issues most prevalent in the Philippines. One of prominence is that of hypertension (high blood pressure). In has been note that 10% of the population over the age of 15 suffers from this. Another significant healthcare concern in the Philippines is tuberculosis. This particular disease numbers the Filipino population as 4th highest in mortality rates due to this illness. Malaria and dengue fever are also prevalent because of the diminished capacity to control the mosquito population. Although the infant mortality rate 48.9 and one third of the children are malnourished, everyone is provided basic health care at no cost, and financial assistance is available to those who need it. This article goes on to share that hospital services are available to all citizens, although those in more remote areas may not be able to reach them easily. Private hospitals also exist, and the treatment there is known to be better. Of particular interest, Mulder relates that herbal and homeopathic remedies are often used in conjunction with medically prescribed medications. Traditional herbal remedies are a life way and is taught as part of the school health curriculum.

Montejo, J.A. (2015). Indigenous Religious Beliefs and Practices in the Philippines. Philippine Islands. Retrieved from http://www.philippine- islands.ph/

In this piece written by Montejo, indigenous beliefs and practices, in relationship to religion, are discussed. Although it is asserted here that Filipinos have been influenced by western religions, there is no doubt that traditional beliefs continue to exist as well. The one thing that is most certain about the beliefs of this culture is that they are extremely varied, and this has caused some conflict between tribes. Nevertheless, all Filipinos come from a background where it was believed that all objects had some sort of spirit of their own. This was usually most associated with natural objects such as rocks, trees, the wind, etc. Additionally, the belief in one Supreme God existed as well, despite the many different names used for this being. This article strongly suggests that there existed, and still does, a strong pull towards the supernatural and ritual. Although the Spaniards tried to eradicate this aspect of Filipino culture, they were not successful.

McLaughlin, L.A. and Braun, K.L. (1998). Asian and Pacific Islander Cultural Values: Considerations for Health Care Decision Making. Retrieved from http://hsw.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/2/116.short

In this article, McLaughlin and Braun spend time assessing the differences between U.S. and Asian and Pacific Islander cultural values influencing health and healthcare. More specifically, this piece explores the values that influence decision making.  The premise being to untangle the conflict that may arise given the more collectivist values of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures, as opposed to the more individualist orientation of the U.S. health care system. While in the U.S. we tend to focus on oneself as that which makes decisions and controls our fate, that is not so in Fillipino culture. Instead, there is more uncertainty in the human ability to “make things happen.” This tends to lead to what appears to be a more fatalistic view of sickness, or at the least more acceptance of illness.  The article asserts that while those in the U.S. attempt to beat a sickness, one will not find that same attitude in the Philippines. This is actually viewed as a negative approach to healing.

Levesque A., & Li, H.Z. The Relationship Between Culture, Health Conceptions, and Health Practices, A Qualitative–Quantitative Approach. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 28(3), 252-265.

In this article, there is a particular emphasis on culture as a community, and the ways in which we choose to practice medicine. For the Filipinos, conversation and views about health expand beyond the individual self to include the family, community, and the natural world as well. This piece emphasizes the manner in which Filipinos conceptualize health, and consequently how this influences health practices. These authors make us aware that “health policy makers need to take into account the role culture plays in the way people conceptualize health to ensure that health policies and programs reflect the particular beliefs and needs of their target populations.” They go on to say that without awareness of the diverse and varying views of patients, those in the healthcare industry will not provide culturally appropriate care.

McAdam, J.L., Stotts, N.A., Padilla, G., and Puntillo, K. (2005). Attitudes of Critically Ill Filipino Patients and Their Families Toward Advance Directives. American Journal of Critical Care, 14(1), 17-25. Retrieved from http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/content/14/1/17.full

In this article, written to address the attitudes of critically ill Filipinos, reiterates that which was found in a previous article – essentially that the views of a serious illness often result in a fatalistic perception of the issue. Yet, this can have negatives outcomes when a Filipino person is faced with a decision about advance directives, due to the cultural tendency to go along with others and to create peace and harmony. The article continues that this can grant inauthentic reactions to what is actually taking place. For example, if a Filipino does not necessarily agree with a particular medical decision, they may agree with a healthcare professional in an attempt to avoid any disagreement. On the other hand, another danger exists when important decisions are to be made. Normally, Filipino tradition dictates consultation with the head of the family or decision maker – often dictated by birth order. It is then vitally important to try and assist this individual in understanding end-of-life issues and advance directives, since the rest of the family and the patient will ultimately look to this person for direction.

World Health Organization. (2011). The Philippines health system review. Health Systems in Transition Vol. 1 No.2 2011

In this report from the WHO, it has been noted that the health status of Filipinos has improved over the forty years. Infant mortality has improved, life expectancy is now 70 years of age and beyond, and the incidence of communicable diseases has fallen. Nevertheless, the WHO reports that there is still great inequality in wealth and access to resources for this population. In 2010 a reform know as PhilHealth was introduced to offer affordable healthcare to all socioeconomic levels, while particular emphasis was placed on the underprivileged. Yet, “attracting and retaining staff in under-served areas is a key challenge.”Most health workers in the Philippines are exported and getting workers to service those in rural areas can be difficult. While reforms have been introduced to try and address these inefficiencies and inequalities in the health system, problems remain. The article states that this mainly due to decentralization and a large private sector.

References

Levesque A., & Li, H.Z. The Relationship Between Culture, Health Conceptions, and Health Practices, A Qualitative–Quantitative Approach. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 28(3), 252-265.

McAdam, J.L., Stotts, N.A., Padilla, G., and Puntillo, K. (2005). Attitudes of Critically Ill Filipino Patients and Their Families Toward Advance Directives. American Journal of Critical Care, 14(1), 17-25. Retrieved from http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/content/14/1/17.full

McLaughlin, L.A. and Braun, K.L. (1998). Asian and Pacific Islander Cultural Values: Considerations for Health Care Decision Making. Retrieved from http://hsw.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/2/116.short

Montejo, J.A. (2015). Indigenous Religious Beliefs and Practices in the Philippines. Philippine Islands. Retrieved from http://www.philippine- islands.ph/

Mulder, N. (1994). Filipino Culture and Social Analysis. Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints, (42)1.

World Health Organization. (2011). The Philippines health system review. Health Systems in Transition, 1(2).