Organisational Development and Globalisation: A Case Study on Minimising Cultural Obstacles to Patient Care

Abstract

The dialogue of globalisation often neglects to address issues of cultural and social sensitivity where globally important issues need to be tackled at a geographically regional and local level. One such issue is the importance of women’s healthcare in the Middle East. In a region of the world where personal modesty often takes precedent over appropriate healthcare being sought, the global recognition of the importance of early diagnosis of breast cancer being important in its effective treatment is having an impact on how the global community addresses regional customs in the case of globally relevant issues. Despite significant medical advances in the management of breast cancer, there remain many barriers which are limiting the ability to further develop early diagnosis and treatment of the disease from a global perspective. An earlier case-based study had drawn attention to social and cultural difficulties in the healthcare system within a Middle Eastern diaspora particularly due to delays in early detection and timely treatment of breast cancer. Following the identification of the main causes underlying delays in breast cancer detection, corrective measures to establish an efficient management system enabled the transformation of societal and cultural disadvantages into opportunities for positive change. Consequently, in an effort to minimise delays and reduce rising mortality figures in the Arab World, a breast cancer management plan was proposed. This paper thus addresses the process to introduce much needed improvement in the healthcare industry in the Arab World, by examining breast cancer management in the region, with a focus on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a potential model for change in the broader Middle East and Islamic World.