Cultural Relativism Case Study

Introduction The case study on cultural relativism and western medical practice focuses on the healing practices that differ from one culture to the next, and how medical practitioners should tolerate these different approaches that can be viewed as unethical to western society medical practices. Ms. S, an immigrant from Laos brought her infant in for her four-month immunizations to the physician. Dr. Leigh’s, the working physician notices the red and quarter-inch round markings on the babies’ abdomen. Dr Leigh is informed that Ms. S’s daughter has an illness and the markings are in result of pain-induced method with intent to cure the illness. A method involving intentional pain, specifically dropping hot fat drops, leading to blisters, a

S Mother in law, Marie, Ms.S Husband, Ms.S other children, Dr. Leigh

4) Situational

Le Mien Culture states that this is justifiable. Dr. Leigh seems apprehensive about this situation as in the Le Mien culture this medical practice is a norm, and conflicts with western medical practices as the child is being physically harmed. Even though it is not considered child abuse in Ms.S culture, it is in the western society where the issue is occurring. Is it honest to not tell authorities, and to be empathetic to Marie. As a doctor she should report it as a duty.

5) External

Ms. S is still relatively new to United States and may not realize that behaviour isn’t acceptable, as she is very open about her practice and the method to cure the illness that it becomes evident she considers this behavior as justifiable. This may be all Mr. S knows as the cultural she has grown up in was surrounded by an environment where this practice is a routine. Politically, as a law, this is causing harm to the baby, is child abuse and should be reported. Societal views, such as social contrast/ laws of civil society views this behaviour is intolerable and when safety interferes with cultural norms, this norm should be

D’s daughter outweighs the benefits of being cured from this disease, furthermore not reporting this innocent can lead to greater harm. From a deontological view, Dr. Leigh has the duty as a physician and registered professional to report this to authorities. She feels as though she has conflicting duties, as based on her patients culture this traditional method to cure her daughter is right, but for western society it is wrong. By law it is abuse even though it’s a culture norm. Based on social contrast, laws of civil society, in western society one cannot doing this to child. It is considered child abuse, as the child’s autonomy is not respected because the infant is too young to have a say. In this case, Dr. Leigh followed her followed her intuition to not tell