Expert: Justin Choo - 8/22/2011

Question
Is there any verbal or non-verbal communication factors needed to know by healthcare providers when addressing a person of your culture? ex. touch, eye contact, communication with hierarchy of family, gender specific communication-
Do you believe in preventive healthcare measures?
What is the Buddhist beliefs in regard to health?
What is the Buddhist beliefs of illness and when to seek medical treatment?
What is your opinion on the diversity of healthcare Buddhist practices vs. Western medicine?
What are your comfort preferences, hygiene practices in regard to personal space when being treated on an inpatient basis?
Do people of the Buddhist practice have any customs or rites that must considered when someone in the family passes away in a hospital setting?
Are there any special child birth and or rearing practices that need to be considered when treating someone within your family?
Are there any other factors that a healthcare facility may need to be made aware of to help better treat a Buddhist person and help with the continuity of care for that individual?

Answer
Hi April,

Buddhism is very different from other religions.  Buddhism per se is actually about how to live a harmless, peaceful and contented life.  Buddhism is a very tolerant and universal "religion".  What you see being practised by Buddhists are mostly the cultures and traditions of the different races and nationalities.  Different cultures practise Buddhism by incorporating their own rites and rituals.  That is why we have Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, and so on.  Although you see the colorful differences in "Buddhist" practices, the basic foundation of Buddhist teachings are similar. This is the beauty of Buddhism.  With this brief introduction, I shall try to answer your questions as best I can.  You would notice that all my answers are based on common sense and not on any Buddhist text.  The Buddha actually encouraged his followers to use their common sense and human intelligence to live a harmless, peaceful and contented life.

<<Is there any verbal or non-verbal communication factors needed to know by healthcare providers when addressing a person of your culture? ex. touch, eye contact, communication with hierarchy of family, gender specific communication->>
You have used the right word "culture".  So this has nothing to do with Buddhism.  In Asian culture, family hierarchy plays an important part.  The rest of your "techniques" are universal.  They are effective for inter-personal communication.


<<Do you believe in preventive healthcare measures?>>
Yes

<<What is the Buddhist beliefs in regard to health?>>
There is nothing to believe.  We have to take care of our health.

<<What is the Buddhist beliefs of illness and when to seek medical treatment?>>
When one is sick, one must take steps to get well.  Seeking medical treatment is one of the options.

<<What is your opinion on the diversity of healthcare Buddhist practices vs. Western medicine?>>
Both are useful.

<<What are your comfort preferences, hygiene practices in regard to personal space when being treated on an inpatient basis?>>
Common sense will tell us that hygiene and privacy are essential aids for speedy recovery.

<<Do people of the Buddhist practice have any customs or rites that must considered when someone in the family passes away in a hospital setting???>>
Different cultures will have different priorities.  


<<Are there any special child birth and or rearing practices that need to be considered when treating someone within your family?>>
Don't understand your question; but my last comment above is relevant.

<<Are there any other factors that a healthcare facility may need to be made aware of to help better treat a Buddhist person and help with the continuity of care for that individual?>>
Nothing to do with Buddhist equirements, but again, just the cultural requirements, if any.

From the above answers, you can see that Buddhists are not doctrinal, and are not restricted by any commandment or taboo.  If any, then it is again just the cultural and traditional dictates of society, not Buddhism.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo