Case Study 3

Question 1

Define culture

Answer 1

Culture - a complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, customs etc. (Tyler, 1874)
or
Systems of concepts, rules and meanings that underlie and are expressed in the way that human beings live (Keesing, 1981)

Question 2

List five potential difficulties which may arise when consulting with a patient from a different culture

Answer 2

• lack of knowledge about NHS/UK health care system
• lack of knowledge about common health issues/different health beliefs
• fear and distrust
• racism
• bias and ethnocentrism
• stereotyping
• language barriers
• presence of a third party e.g. family member/translator
• differences in perceptions and expectations between patient and doctor
• examination taboos
• gender difference between doctor and patient
• religious beliefs
• difficulties using language line
• patient may not be entitled to NHS care

Question 3

Jenni moved from Malaysia to study in the UK. She is 28 and now works as a chemist for one of the large oil companies in the UK.
She has developed a painful, itchy rash on her hands which she thinks has resulted from contact with chemicals in the lab.
List three different routs via which someone might be exposed to a hazardous substance

Answer 3

• blood
• sexual contact
• inhalation
• ingestion

Question 4

List two categories of hazard and give an example of each in relation to Jenni’s work in the chemistry lab

Answer 4

• Physical - heat, noise, radiation from lab equipment
• Mechanical - trips and slips
• Biological - spread of infection amongst colleagues e.g. respiratory, GI
• Psychological/stress - anxiety re job security, relationships with colleagues, stressful when busy, deadlines to meet