Exploring the Influence of Religious and Cultural Mythical Beliefs on Psychological Barriers to Healthcare Seeking for Cancer and Serious Illnesses: Strategies for Enhancing Patient Care and Professional Responses

Authors: Botchway C*

DOI: 10.23880/pprij-16000444

Volume 9, Issue 4

Abstract

This study examines the impact of religious and mythical beliefs on healthcare-seeking behaviors, particularly how such beliefs influence decisions regarding treatment for serious illnesses. The aim is to identify the challenges these beliefs pose and propose strategies to improve patient care in culturally diverse environments. The study employs a narrative inquiry methodology, collecting personal narratives through in-depth interviews and written accounts. This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of how religious and mythical beliefs shape healthcare decisions. Data analysis incorporates both inductive narrative methods and quantitative coding techniques, including thematic coding and frequency counts, to identify recurring themes and patterns in the narratives. The inductive approach allows participants to organize their stories in ways that reflect their personal experiences, ensuring that the essence of their narratives is preserved. Key findings indicate that strong religious and mythical beliefs often lead patients to prioritize faith-based practices over conventional medical treatment, causing delays in seeking care. Psychological barriers, such as fear of violating religious principles and concerns about undermining faith, contribute to this delay. The research emphasizes the importance of culturally competent healthcare providers in addressing these barriers, fostering trust, and guiding patients toward timely medical interventions. Integrating cultural and religious sensitivity into healthcare practices can reduce resistance to medical treatment and improve patient outcomes. The study advocates for training healthcare professionals in cultural competence and religious sensitivity to enhance care delivery in diverse contexts, empowering patients to make informed and confident healthcare decisions.

Keywords: Healthcare-Seeking Behavior; Psychological Barriers; Cultural Competence; Religious Sensitivity; Mythical Beliefs; Thematic Analysis; Narrative Inquiry; Inductive Methods; Frequency Counts

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