Chapter 5 - Gastrointestinal Cases – Casos gastrointestinales

Abstract

This chapter will review four patient cases with gastrointestinal chief complaints. The authors have selected cases that display some important cultural health concepts in Hispanic/Latino health. Readers are invited to review each case as it progresses and to challenge themselves to complete a case note for each patient after reading or listening to the case in Spanish. The authors’ case discussion will review critical aspects of each gastrointestinal case in the light of the Spanish-speaking patient experience and language variations, explore the social context and potential barriers to care common in this population, and present examples of cultural beliefs or practices that may influence gastrointestinal and digestive health and illness.