Reflective Report: Healthcare Case Studies on CAM and Cultural Impacts

This report presents a reflective analysis of two case studies. The first case study explores a visit to a Chinese herbalist shop, examining the regulations surrounding the dispensing of herbal medicines and the cultural context of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The author reflects on the experi...Read More

Running Head: Reflection of case study
Reflection of the case studies
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

Running Head: Reflection of case study
Topic 1. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Introduction:
This assignment is focused on usage and accessibility of complementary and
alternative medicines inn real lives. I have visited one of my Chinese students who works as
the herbalist in a Chinese herbs store. The experience was a revelation to me as I could
witness the vast sides of the complementary and alternative medicine world. The entire
experience will be analysed with the help of Gibb’s reflective cycle in this assignment.
Evaluation:
When I visited the Chinese import-export shop with my student, I could visit the back
room as she took permission from the business owner. The experience of visiting the back
room of that store was very satisfactory as I could witness how ancient herbalism works. We
could see that person was weighing and mixing the herbs to dispense them. The people who
were come to collect the herbs were carrying their prescription to purchase the medicines. I
could stay a long time in that place and could observe different activities regarding
dispensing the medicinal herbs. These medicinal herbs can dispense to the patients by
crushing, mixing and extracting fluids. However, I could not collect any sample from the
shop, as prescription is needed to purchase those herbs. I was happy to visit that place but
disheartened after not being able to purchase some samples of medicinal plants.
Feelings:
I was very excited and curious before visiting the Chinese shop as I heard about the
efficacy of the herbs in reducing stress, allergy, Asthma and other diseases. I also heard some
rumours about professionals of Chinese Traditional Medicine practice that they depends on
some mystic techniques for treating patients. I expected that I would witness different
applications of herbalism in human health. I was amazed during the experience, as I could not

Running Head: Reflection of case study
expected such variation in herbs, as I was very new to the concepts of traditional healing
treatment. I observed the activities of professionals and the tricks of mixing the herbs for
medicinal preparations. The feeling of visiting the shop was not only astonishing but also an
experience of gaining information. I did not know much about the regulation of practising
Chinese traditional medical practice in Australia. Therefore, I wanted to purchase some herbs
for keeping them in my collection. However, they denied giving or selling any of those herbs
without prescription.
Analysis:
They denied selling herbs without any prescription, as there are different regulations,
which should be maintained by the medical practitioners of Chinese herbalism. Council of
Australian Governments (COAG) introduced the National Registration and Accreditation
Scheme (the National Scheme) which is relate to the Health Practitioner Regulation National
Law 2009 (www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au, 2020). The national law covers some
parameters such as mobility, uniformity, efficiency, collaboration and transparency
(www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au, 2020). Traditional Chinese herbalists should involve
some of the regulations related to the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia as different
registered committees introduced those legislations. Every traditional practitioners should
store herbs as per the regulations of Therapeutic Goods Act. Dispensing medicinal herbs
should follow Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) for avoiding any sort
of abuse by the medicinal herbs (www.health.wa.gov.au, 2020). The traditional Chinese
herbal shops should inform the visitors about the regulations regarding dispensing the herbs
through brochure and pamphlets. There are some influence of commercial advertisements on
the concepts of availing herbs from traditional Chinese shops. The Professionals could
explain different regulations and laws to the visitors so that they do not make unnecessary

Running Head: Reflection of case study
demands. However, the regular customers of the shop are aware of the fact that no medicines
will be given without appropriate prescription.
Conclusion:
I should ask the professionals to give me the medicinal herbs by showing them the
documents regarding official permissions. Although traditional herbalism is a part of
Complementary and Alternative Medicinal practices, it requires qualification and license for
dispensing the herbal compounds (Reid, Steel, Wardle, Trubody & Adams, 2016). As I am
not a Chinese person, there is a possibility of cultural differences. Therefore, they might not
give me the herbal compounds even after my student was present with me.
Action Plan:
Awareness related to Complementary and Alternative Medicinal practices should be
increased in every level of society. There are some misconceptions related to traditional
medicinal practices among different population of Australia. Promotion of official acts are
needed to enhance the popularity and clearing the concepts related to CAM. Although the
experience was very significant for me. The professionals associated with the
Complementary and Alternative Medicinal can arrange some campaign and workshops
frequently as a result the misconceptions related to the these traditional Chinese medicines
will be reduced.

Running Head: Reflection of case study
References
Harvey, K., Hall, S., & Moutafis, T. (2016). TGA CONSULTATION: THE REGULATORY
FRAMEWORK FOR ADVERTISING THERAPEUTIC GOODS. Retrieved from:
https://medreach.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TGA-Consultation-
Submission-The-regulatory-framework-for-advertising-therapeutic-goods-Harvey-
Hall-Moutafis-Final.pdf
Marshall Jr, G. D. (2019). Psychological stress, immunity, and asthma: developing a
paradigm for effective therapy and prevention. Current Opinion in Behavioral
Sciences, 28, 14-19.retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.01.006
Reid, R., Steel, A., Wardle, J., Trubody, A., & Adams, J. (2016). Complementary medicine
use by the Australian population: a critical mixed studies systematic review of
utilisation, perceptions and factors associated with use. BMC complementary and
alternative medicine, 16(1), 176. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1143-8
www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au. (2020). Retrieved 22 January 2020, from
https://www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?
record=WD18%2F25189&dbid=AP&chksum=OQYUUwuoyuFSs9YXKDKX0A
%3D%3D
www.health.wa.gov.au. (2020). Retrieved 22 January 2020, from
http://www.health.wa.gov.au/docreg/Reports/Risk/Alternative_Medicine/
Discussion_paper_regulation_of_practitioners_of_chinese_medicine.pdf

Running Head: Reflection of case study
Topic 2. Culture and Health
Introduction:
The assignment focuses on the effect of cultural differences in the lives of patient’s
and different medical treatment procedure. As a health professional I have to convince the
patient and the family that exposure of body during surgery is needed. The experiences of
dealing with these people will be explained in the assignment with the help of Gibb’s
Reflective Cycle. Every steps of the cycle helps to analyse the opportunities and threats
related to the given case study.
Evaluation:
There are some beliefs regarding treatment or surgery by the different culturally
diverse people. Depending on the cultural values, people decide to choose their preferences
on accessing the treatments. In this case, study, the Italian family is not agreed to opt for
surgery. It was difficult to convince the family for surgery, as they believe that contact with
air can be infectious for the patient. The concept of ‘air’ should be taken under consideration
during the treatment of patient. As a health professional, I wanted to convince the patient
family that our healthcare organisation take care of maintaining purity of the atmosphere. I
will explained to the patient family that the organisation must be well ventilated to avoid the
occurrence of infections.
Feelings:
Before meeting the culturally diverse patient families, as a health professional I have
to be prepared for any kind of questions. Sometimes families from different cultures have
some initial conceptions related to medical practices. The patient and their families
sometimes misbehaves with the nurses and doctors due to some insecurities. I was afraid as

Running Head: Reflection of case study
any gesture or suggestion could affect the patients’ belief unintentionally. However, we
cannot allow any thoughts regarding the patient and their cultural origin based on biasness
and any personal preferences. After meeting the patient and the family, I told them about the
initiatives taken by the hospital for purifying air and enhancing ventilator system in the
organisations.
Analysis:
The Italian family had different misconceptions, for an example; if a person exposed
to the air he or she will die quicker as they will be in the contact of air and drafts of air can
affect the health of an individual. It was challenging for me to make them convinced that
surgery can be helpful for the patient’s health. Different cultural communities are sensitive to
various medical exposures such as food and nutritional diet, use of needles, surgery (Gostin
& Wiley, 2016). Sometimes the patients follow certain religious calendars and rituals during
the admittance in hospitals. Therefore, they wanted the ambience of the healthcare
organisation should be purified and devoid of any kind of negative substances. According to
the regulations regarding cultural competence, nurses take care of these patients by
maintaining their clinical, psychological, spiritual beliefs related to the treatment procedures.
To maintain the autonomy and beneficence of patient, I described the patient and the family
about our initiatives related to purification of the air (Sullivan, 2016). According to the
NMBA Nursing standards, standard 6 has stated as the quality and ethical goal-directed
actions should be maintained during the treatment of these patients
(www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au. 2020). I provided appropriate super vision and care
plan for the treatment of that patient. An Italian nurse was appointed later for make the family
more comfortable to communicate. In addition to appointing culturally similar nurse, the
appearance of the rooms were changed. The patient family were introduced to the mental
healthcare team of the hospital so that they can assure them properly. NMBA (The Nursing

Running Head: Reflection of case study
and Midwifery Board of Australia ) standards 7 suggests different responsibilities for the
assessment of treatment based on agreed priorities, goals, tactics and consequences and
reviews practice consequently (www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au.,2020).
Conclusion:
We described the patient and his family about the better ventilation initiatives and
ongoing process to reduce their fear of getting contaminated with draft of air. I learned to
become more compassionate and caring towards the culturally diverse people. I could be
more confident when I approached to the family of that patient. I came to know about the
efficacy of mental health care team and culturally competent facilities for patients from
different populations. I could maintain the both the NMBA standards and ICN (International
Council of Nurses) ethical principles for the nurses.
Action Plan:
The hospital should promote their initiatives to maintain the culturally competent
facilities for patients of different cultures. Education or health literacy should be increased
at different level of society for reducing the cultural barriers related to the health care
industry.

Running Head: Reflection of case study
References
Gostin, L. O., & Wiley, L. F. (2016). Public health law: power, duty, restraint. Univ of
California Press.Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=HaowDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR17&dq=.
+Different+cultural+communities+are+sensitive+to+various+medical+exposures+suc
h+as+food+and+nutritional+diet,+use+of+needles,
+surgery.&ots=XSW_ZUrKY7&sig=FtkmxdVe72kBjjXc5A00tsG8BzQ&redir_esc=
y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Reid, R., Steel, A., Wardle, J., Trubody, A., & Adams, J. (2016). Complementary medicine
use by the Australian population: a critical mixed studies systematic review of
utilisation, perceptions and factors associated with use. BMC complementary and
alternative medicine, 16(1), 176. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1143-8
Sullivan, M. (2016). The patient as agent of health and health care: Autonomy in patient-
centered care for chronic conditions. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from:
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=8vS4DQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=autonomy+of+patient&ots
=xqtF9GN21C&sig=JOTMwdjFfSdYAXzcmn1kisnBjZE&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&
q=autonomy%20of%20patient&f=false
www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au. (2020). Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia -
Registered nurse standards for practice. Retrieved 22 January 2020, from
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/
Professional-standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx