WEEK 3: Psychological considerations in cardiac & respiratory diseases Flashcards

Question

Outline the Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Answer 1

-Improve exercise capacity -Reduce breathlessness -Improve health-related quality of life -Decrease healthcare utilization -Relieve fatigue -Improve emotional function -Enhance patients' sense of control over their condition

Answer 2

-People who cannot walk -Have unstable angina -Who have had a recent myocardial infarction

Answer 3

Considered broader in some respects than that of a contemporary medical doctor. The traditional healer advises their clients in all aspects of life, including physical, psychological, spiritual, moral, and sometimes legal matters. They also understand the significance of ancestral spirits and the concept of witches African traditional healing is intertwined with cultural and religious beliefs and is holistic in nature. It does not focus only on the physical condition, but also on the psychological, spiritual and social aspects of individuals, families and communities.

Answer 4

Good health for the African consists of both proper functioning of bodily organs mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional stability [of oneself, family members, and community (Omonzejele 2008:120) this integrated view of health is based on the African unitary view of reality. Good health for the African is not a subjective affair. Good health requires good relationship with one's ancestors because it is of paramount importance that the ancestors stay healthy so that they can protect the living (Iroegbu 2005:81) Good health also includes the viewing of an individual as a collective member of the community; as such, good health would also include good relations with ancestors and the community. Thus Mbiti (1990) rightly notes.

Answer 5

1. Many traditional African communities are of the view that certain illnesses which defy scientific treatment can be transmitted through witchcraft and unforeseen forces. These include barrenness, infertility, attacks by dangerous animals, snake bites by dangerous snakes, persistent headaches and repeated miscarriages (Obinna 2012:137-139; Thorpe 1993:25). 2. Many traditional healers and practitioners are of the opinion that disobeying taboos openly or secretly is one of the ways people could become sick (Gyekye 1995:133). The consequences always manifest either on the person(s) concerned or the entire community in the form of diseases, and possibly death.

Answer 6

Spiritual issues 1. Spiritual protection: If the diviner or the traditional healer perceives the cause of the disease to be an attack from evil spirits, the person would be protected by the use of a talisman, charm, moto [spiritually prepared black powder] for body marks, amulets, and a spiritual bath to drive the evil spirits away. 2. Sacrifices: Sacrifices offered at the request of the spirits, gods, and ancestors 3. Spiritual cleansing: using herbs and blood of a slaughtered animal Dogs and cats are used to replace the life of people, because they believe that the spirit of such animals is strong for that purpose. There is also the view that, because they are domestic animals and are very close to people, sometimes when they see that someone very close to them is about to die, they offer their lives for that person to live. In some cases herbs are prepared for the person to bathe with at specific times for a number of days. Sometimes an animal can be slaughtered and the blood would be poured on the head and foot of the sick person; the blood poured on the sick person serves as a way of cleansing.

Answer 7

For diseases that are caused by a curse or violation of taboos. Done either sacrificing an animal or by pouring of libation. Patient buys the ritual articles for the process as requested by the gods or the spirits. Articles include spotless animals (dove, cat, dog, goat, and fowl), schnapps, akpeteshie [traditional liquor], calico (red, white or black) and sometimes eggs After the rituals, these articles are sometimes left at the required place to rot, or they are sometimes thrown into a river as required by the god or spirits. They are at times placed on a four-way junction or the outskirts of the community, depending on the purpose of the ritual (Insoll 2010:234–235).

Answer 8

Exorcism is practiced to deliver the person possessed by an evil spirit. Involves singing, drumming, dancing, the spraying of powder to the sky and on the possessed, and the use of abodua [animal tail] to drive away the evil spirit The possessed person is seen rolling on the floor like someone under bondage looking for freedom. Once the spirit has been released, the person would become stable, mostly with a deep sense of relief.

Answer 9

Libation is a rite by which some liquid is poured on the ground or sometimes on objects followed by the chanting or reciting of words. According to the practitioners, it is a form of prayer.

Answer 10

Prescription of herbs: These prescriptions come with some specific instructions on how to prepare the herb, the dose and timeframe (Ayim-Aboagye 1993:109; Lartey 1986:75). Clay and herbs application (skin diseases): In some of the healing processes, the traditional healer would prepare white clay with some herbs for the sick person to apply on his or her body for a number of days. Counselling: Sometimes, the sick person is advised on how to live his or her life, especially the kind of food the person should or should not eat. This is mostly done when it is an issue of a violation of a taboo.

Answer 11

God is the healer but works through mediums such as spirits, herbs and deities with the assistance of diviners or traditional healers (Obinna 2012:135). Diviners treat illnesses primarily through facilitating the direct intervention of the spiritual world to understand the cause of the illness and prescribe a cure (Obinna 2012:142). If an illness is believed to be caused by patient inappropriate behavior a remedy or cure for the illness can only come through spiritual intervention.