While taking part in the Health Care in Latin America program, I’m taking a class called “When Perception is Reality: Subjectivity in Health”. The best way to describe it is as a class based on the blend of health care in a more sociological and psychological aspect. There’s also some public health topics mixed in as well. It’s super interesting because my professor is a congresswoman, so she has a lot of firsthand experience with how healthcare works in Costa Rica, especially in terms of the government’s involvement.
Our class is structured as a seminar class, so we arrange the desks in a circle and have open discussion about the topics for the day. My professor leads with open ended questions that are thought provoking and whoever wants to can chime in can and share their perspective. It’s a good class for open and transparent discussion, as well challenging one’s minds on the various aspects of health beliefs and behaviors.
This class delves into the complex intricacies of individual perceptions, cultural background, societal status and more within the healthcare field. Subjectivity in healthcare examines multiple factors like bias, prejudice, socioeconomic status, personal experience, and more. These all go into the realm of choosing how to provide the appropriate care for those in Costa Rica, as well as comparing it to other parts of the world, like the healthcare system in America. Analyzing all these parts helps us talk in class about the differences in access to care based on someone’s mental, emotional, and physical background. There are countless disparities in the healthcare world, and everything is influenced by an abundance of perceptions.
It’s important to respect the patient’s autonomy while also creating a comforting atmosphere for both parties as a healthcare professional. Providing a sense of trust between both the patient and provider is essential in having a valuable healthcare experience.
Overall, I feel like this class has enriched my understanding and the complexity of culture, perception, and background in the healthcare field. It contains so many layers that are not always just black and white. Broadening my perspective and tying it into my personal experiences allows me to strengthen my awareness regarding the numerous nuances that shape healthcare. I’ve also expanded my knowledge on health outcomes specifically in a Latin American context by studying here. My ability to provide competent care as a healthcare professional is invaluable towards my future.
