Health Care Provider Barriers

Health care provider must operate in a culturally sensitive environment. “Culture is a learned set of values and beliefs passed from one generation to another” (Horton & Johnson, 2010, p. 365). Some patient’s beliefs are based on cultural practices. The decisions to seek medical treatment may be based on the person’s beliefs and cultural practices. It is common for the elderly population to also use some type of alternative medicine instead of seeking medical attention. Barriers may be created if health care providers are not sensitive to the patient’s cultural beliefs and practices.
Health care providers must also be aware of social and economic factors when caring for the elderly. “Poverty often limits access to health care by preventing