utilize traditional medicine
Guatemalans apply both traditional medicine provided by herbalists and Western medicine in their health care practices. According to Hoyler (2018), Maya Guatemalans utilize traditional medicine as the primary source of health care and are guided by Mayan spirits. The people believe that a medical procedure of removing blood samples for testing is wrong since it would make one weak and unhealthy. This reduces the number of people who visit local pharmacists for remedies even though they also value biomedical health care systems. Guatemalans believe that deteriorating illnesses are a result of punishment from God rather than a lack of early diagnosis or prevention. There even exist magical-based beliefs on the causes of diseases such as the evil eye in Mayan culture. Guatemalans believe that a balanced diet plays a significant role in determining their health. For this belief, food is handled with care while cooking to avoid food poisoning and is also eaten when warm since cold food is perceived to cause illnesses.
Similarities of health care beliefs between both heritages
One similarity of health care beliefs between Guatemalan and Chinese cultures is that they value traditional medicine over Western medicine. The other similarity is that they use herbs and proper diet to enhance good health. Also, there is high trust in the credibility of biomedical health care systems in both cultures, which implies that there is a high probability of absorbing modern health care models in these cultures.
Effects of the health care beliefs in the delivery of Evidence-based health care
Health care beliefs in both cultures affect the delivery of evidence-based health care because they favor traditional medicine over Western medicine by eliciting fear. For instance, Guatemalans fear drawing blood samples for testing since they believe it will render one unhealthy and weak. This implies that most people do not access the early diagnosis of illnesses, which hinders the delivery of evidence-based health care. Chinese culture also has high regard for procedures such as cupping and acupuncture, which hinder the utilization of evidence-based health care in pain management. Guatemalans also have negative beliefs about organ donation, which elicit fear on any health concern related to organ donation. This hinders the delivery of evidence-based health care.
Conclusion
Health care beliefs among cultures influence the utilization of evidence-based health care since they tend to favor existing knowledge in preventing and curing illnesses. Chinese and Guatemalan cultures have similar health care beliefs, such as they both prioritize the use of traditional medicine even though they acknowledge Western medicine. Both cultures believe that a balanced diet is crucial for good health. Chinese believe that physical and mental disability is a bad omen, which hinders evidence-based health care. However, Guatemalans believe in the guidance of Mayan spirits in case of health problems before seeking Western medicine. People from Asian cultures have varying health care beliefs from American natives.
