The Magic of Dreams: Conflicts and Quandaries Within Multicultural Societies in Transition

Abstract

Due to increased globalization, there is an ever-increasing number of countries and societies in the Middle East which can be described as multiethnic or multicultural. Within this amalgamation of cultures, religions, races, and countries of origin, health practitioners and policy makers face the enormous task of providing effective health and palliative care in a multiethnic environment. The concept of culture may hold positive explanatory power for the differences in health behavior and health outcome similar to race and ethnicity. Cultural factors also determine how people describe their illness and symptoms, resulting in diverse accounts and possible divergent treatments and diagnosis for the same disease. Moreover, health care ethics now face the challenge of handling conflicts deeply embedded within the diversity of cultures in the Middle East. Health care providers must seek cultural competence regarding the communities that they serve, while remaining reflective about their own values and cultural beliefs. The chapter will expand on cultural conflicts in the Middle East and promote pathways toward their resolution.