title: Pharmaceutical therapy in midwifery practice: a culturally competent approach.
abstract: The profession of midwifery can be part of the solution in America's quest for a culturally sensitive and competent health care system. Midwives who are familiar with a variety of health-related cultural beliefs and practice culturally sensitive inquiry, particularly when using pharmaceutical therapies, can effectively understand and respond to the cultural complexities that impact a client's health. This article describes needed cultural competencies, reviews a variety of health-related cultural beliefs, and relates how these beliefs impact the use and acceptability of pharmaceutical therapies. Specific examples related to culturally sensitive inquiry are discussed along with recommendations.
authors.forename: Eva I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Faucher
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States