Culturally Informed Care: Solidarity, Cultural Humility, and Medical Ethics

Authors

  • Hailey G. Hawkins Department of Biology, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9043-6601
  • Nico Nortjé Section of Integrated Ethics, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3660-2762
  • Amitabha Palmer Section of Integrated Ethics, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6362-4935

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7202/1112294ar

Keywords:

Ubuntu, solidarity, cultural humility, end-of-life care, global bioethics

Language(s):

English

Abstract

This case study explores the ethical complexities surrounding the treatment of Mrs. H, an elderly woman with multiple myeloma. Divergent goals between her family, rooted in Ubuntu and Christian values, and the medical team prompted ethical deliberation. Faced with this tension, the care team, guided by principles of solidarity and cultural humility, engaged in meaningful dialogue facilitated by an experienced ethicist. The resolution respects the family's cultural and religious beliefs while adhering to medical ethics. This case highlights the importance of understanding and integrating cultural values in healthcare decision-making, ultimately achieving a patient-centered approach that respects the diversity of perspectives.

(c) Han Han Li

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Published

2024-06-21

How to Cite

[1]
Hawkins HG, Nico Nortjé, Amitabha Palmer. Culturally Informed Care: Solidarity, Cultural Humility, and Medical Ethics. Can. J. Bioeth 2024;7:189-91. https://doi.org/10.7202/1112294ar.

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2-3 (2024): Open Issue & CBS Workshops

Section

Case studies

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Hailey G. Hawkins, Nico Nortjé, Amitabha Palmer

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The Canadian Journal of Bioethics applies the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License to all its publications. Authors therefore retain copyright of their publication, e.g., they can reuse their publication, link to it on their home page or institutional website, deposit a PDF in a public repository. However, the authors allow anyone to download, reuse, reprint, modify, distribute, and/or copy their publication, so long as the original authors and source are cited.