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Stuck in the Mud

St. Mark’s Family Medicine Residency, Salt Lake City, Utah

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Richard E. Allen, MD, MPH, 1250 East 3900 South, Suite 260, Salt Lake City, UT 84124, rallen{at}utahhealthcare.org

ABSTRACT

The reservation was a littered muddy wasteland, and its population endured poor health, not unlike a third world country. Native American patients suffered from conditions of squalor, alcoholism, diabetes, and drug abuse. I was initially enthusiastic to serve this population, but my ideals and tolerance were challenged through time and experience. Rescuing a teenage girl in labor with a footling breech brought my cultural incompetence to a head. I searched for validation of my service and meaningful purpose in my efforts.

Key Words: Cultural competence • public health • Indians, North American • community health care • primary health care • physician-patient relations

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. C. Stange In This Issue: Mental Health and Care Management, Health Behavior Change, and Reflection in Primary Care Ann. Fam. Med, January 1, 2008; 6(1): 2 - 3. [Full Text] [PDF]

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