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Buon giorno !. Italia!. Portugal, Spain, Italy . . . Italian Culture. “Health care providers cannot provide good care without assessing both cultural group patterns and individual variations within a cultural group” - Lipson & Dibble
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Buongiorno! Italia!
Italian Culture • “Health care providers cannot provide good care without assessing both cultural group patterns and individual variations within a cultural group” - Lipson & Dibble • This tenet of culture—group patterns and individual variations—is reflected in Italian Culture.
Similar, yet different • Due to factors such as age, region of origin, education, socioeconomic status and place of residence, Italians and Italian culture is at once homogenous and heterogeneous.
Italians share many similarities • Most are Roman Catholic • Family is of primary importance • Food is integral to their lives • In a health care context, they tend to be modest.
Within these similarities, Italians can be very different • At the same time, Italians can be very unique from family to family, and region to region. • Food and wine: Italians often make their own breads, sausages, and wine. They are very proud of their unique versions. • Religion: Although most Italians are Catholic, each Italian town and region ascribes to different patron saints. • At the same time, certain saints are prayed to for certain things. . .
Catholicism and contraception • As mentioned, most Italians are Catholic • The Catholic church is against any form of birth control other than natural methods • Be prepared to discuss abstinence, the Billings method, the basil body temperature method & the rhythm method.
Pregnancy and The Family • During pregnancy, Italian families may be supportive to the point of being overprotective • Italian women generally will follow regular prenatal care and attend childbirth preparation classes • Once the mother is in the hospital, family members will often visit and stay with mom around the clock
Labor • Italian women usually give birth in the hospital and their labor practices tend to be the same as the dominant American culture. • They will accept pain meds and medical intervention • They prefer vaginal births • They may want modesty during labor
Postpartum • Most Italian women will have a strong desire to leave the hospital quickly in order to be home with their families • New mothers are cared for by female family members • They generally will breastfeed • Family members will bring Italian comfort foods like pasta or the soup, minestramaritata
Italian proverb about doctors • “If the patient dies, the doctor has killed him, but if he gets well, the saints have saved him.” - Italian proverb
La Finito! • La Finito!