**Please note the following:Scholarly sources include current peer-reviewed sou

**Please note the following:Scholarly sources include current peer-reviewed sources, practice guidelines from professional organizations, and databases used for clinical decisions making (such as UpToDate). Your course materials, textbooks, and websites do not count as scholarly sources.
In order to obtain full credit you must interact on more than three days. Posting your initial post and each peer post on a different day for three days total is only an 8/10 for this section of the rubric. An additional post that is substantive and adds to the conversation (not just “I agree” or “nice work”) is required to get 10/10 in this area of the rubric.
A 100 in the discussion means you have exceeded the minimum requirements and the faculty does not have any suggestions for room for improvement for you.
Initial Post
Examine another culture other than your own. What are common beliefs from this culture surrounding acute and chronic pain? Explain how this culture’s beliefs could potentially impact how an individual from this culture feels about acute and chronic pain. When taking into account these potential beliefs, what are some questions you would ask the patient during their pain assessment to become informed about their personal beliefs? How might you explore their expectations regarding your treatment of pain?
Your initial post should use at least three scholarly sources to support your description of how the relationship and/or assessment may be affected.
Response Posts
Please respond to a minimum of two peers’ initial posts. Your reply post should include a method to adequately assess pain in a patient from this culture with a rationale for why you chose this method. You should also include how your understanding of cultural beliefs surrounding pain would assist you in your assessment and care of this patient.
Each peer response should include at least two scholarly sources to support your work.
Peer 1: Micheal
Acute and chronic pain are managed differently between different cultures in the world. The biggest problem lies with western health providers and the lack of trust from those in the Chinese or Indian cultures. As they feel uncomfortable discussing their cultural treatments for their ailments thinking that their culture and beliefs will not be accepted by us. As of these cultures are more private and more stoic about their pain, and less likely to come and get treatment. They may go along with our treatment plans even though it might not be part of their belief (Lewis et al., 2023). Many in the Chinese culture tend to lean towards traditional medicine for herbal supplements and therapy. Some lean to their family members for support but in the Chinese culture, self-dependence and reliance is used. They do this as it may damage relationships and bother others with their problems. With this culture hiding pain and relying on herbal traditional medicine is an important part of their culture as they believe we do not accept their treatments (Wong et al., 2023). However, it is imperative as providers to understand the culture of the patients we take care of in our communities and do research on it as it our job to be culturally competent and provide care with cultural humility. This patient may not want to use western medicine and may rely on only traditional medicine, so it is important to educate the patient on potential interactions on herbal medicine. If their method of healing does not solely cure or alleviate the pain perhaps moving towards a topical cream for pain rather than taking a pill for pain. Perhaps asking them questions such how does the pain affect your body and mind? What problem(s) does the pain cause you? Where do you think the pain is from? And what treatments do you think might help the pain?. These questions might gear you towards the right direction of where the patient is with his or her pain and their beliefs on it. Which then can steer you towards a direction on pain management taking into account their cultural beliefs the both of you can come up with a plan in order to alleviate the pain (Carey et al., 2023). As stated previously trying a mixture of their tradional methods that are appropriate and reasonable with a bit western medicine may work in developing a better relationship for you and your patient so that this patient can heal and have adequate medical care that is culturally acceptable for the patient but still in the realm of treatment for you as a provider.
Peer 2: Amanda
Pain is a subjective experience that may be influenced by ones’ cultural beliefs and values, often making the assessment and treatment of pain a complex process for healthcare providers, with cultural competence being an integral component to effective pain assessment and management (Givier et al., 2021). According to Givier et al. (2021), many cultures “have distinct cultural beliefs regarding the meaning, origin, and role of pain, which can affect how a patient interprets and perceives pain” (p.8). Consideration of culture on a patient’s perception and response to pain, as well as their beliefs regarding pain management in both acute and chronic cases is extremely important. For the purpose of this discussion post, the Chinese culture will be examined to explore how cultural beliefs and values may influence the assessment and care of a patient experiencing pain. Research by Lewis et al. (2023) suggests that in Chinese culture, pain is often attributed to bodily or spiritual imbalances, such as inequality of hot and cold, improper flow along meridians, disrupted energy, or emotional turmoil. Pain is often believed to result from an imbalance between yin and yang (Givier et al., 2021). In Chinese culture, yin and yang are the energy components that work together to provide internal balance, with an excessive amount or deficiency of one leading to illness or suffering (Lewis et al., 2023). Further, pain may be perceived as a natural experience related to aging and as a result of hard work during ones’ younger years (Lewis et al., 2023).
Beliefs regarding the cause of pain and cultural expectations regarding the appropriate expression and management of pain may be seen through a patient’s response to and description of pain during the physical assessment. For example, Givier et al. (2021) states that in Chinese culture, many individuals who are experiencing pain may appear stoic when assessed and may not be open to discussing their pain levels, though they may demonstrate non-verbal cues that suggest they are in more pain than they are verbally describing. This behavior is based off the idea that pain should be endured as a demonstration of courage, leading to avoidance of emotion regarding pain (Lewis et al., 2023). Further, Chinese individuals may avoid recognition and discussion of pain due to concerns of being burdensome to either their family or their healthcare provider (Lewis et al., 2023). This aligns with the more generalized belief in Chinese culture that family should be prioritized over individual needs (Lewis et al., 2023).
Jiang et al. (2022) argues that in terms of pain management among Chinese individuals, “Possible barriers include cultural and philosophical differences between China and the West, patient misunderstandings about pain management, fear of medicine use, and lack of professional knowledge about pain management” (p.2). Generally, it is the provider’s responsibility to bring up the topic of pain management, as many patients may not feel comfortable asking for medication or may feel that bringing up treatment options to their provider is a sign of weakness (Givier et al., 2021). The provider should promote honest and open communication by directly asking the patient how their culture influences their experience with pain, exploring the patient’s views on expression of pain, medication use, and preferred pain management strategies. It is important that the provider demonstrates respect for their patient’s cultural beliefs surrounding pain, adjusting their assessment techniques and individual patient care plans to meet the religious and cultural preferences of individuals as appropriate, demonstrating compassion and cultural competence (Givier et al., 2021). Being open to complementary and alternative pain management approaches and providing appropriate patient education regarding these treatments is also crucial (Givier et al., 2021). Some common alternative pain management techniques utilized in Chinese culture include massage, tai chi, the use of herbal preparations, yoga, acupuncture, and meditation (Lewis et al., 2023).