What happens when a Cherokee patient summons a medicine man to the hospital, or when an Anglo nurse refuses to take orders from a Japanese doctor?

Why do Asian patients rarely ask for pain medication, while Mediterranean patients seem to seek relief for even the slightest discomfort?

If the goal of the American medical system is to provide optimal care for all patients, health care providers must understand cultural differences that create conflicts and misunderstandings and that can result in inferior medical care. Geri-Ann Galanti's updated classic is even more comprehensive than the first three editions, with a greater emphasis on cultural competence. Many of the cases in this new edition highlight cases where clinicians have avoided problems by practicing cultural sensitivity. “Key points” have been added to the end of each chapter, and new appendices include information on asking the right questions and working with interpreters. There is also an updated bibliography and detailed index. As in the previous edition, an appendix with a short summary of each case study guides the reader searching for a case study specific to a clinical area, disease, or ethnicity.

Caring for Patients from Different Cultures contains over 250 case studies illustrating cross-cultural misunderstanding and culturally competent health care. The chapters cover a diverse range of topics, including birth, end of life, traditional medicine, mental health, pain, religion, and muticultural staff issues. A new chapter called, "Making a Difference," highlights what hospitals and healthcare personnel are doing to provide more culturally competent care. The case studies illustrate important concepts from the fields of cultural diversity and medical anthropology. This volume is an important resource for nurses and physicians in achieving cultural competency.