Modern medicine is making remarkable advances associated with breakthroughs in
medical technology and rapidly accumulating biomedical knowledge. However, it
is a commonly shared concern that, in becoming more technically oriented, the
practice of medicine—with a sometimes excessive focus on the body while ignoring
mind and emotion—struggles to maintain a human face. There is a strong need
to correct this skewed tendency and to practice medicine that emphasizes the
integration of mind and body—to see and care for the patient as a whole person—
a spirit endorsed by the contemporary field of psychosomatic medicine. As an
extension of this, there is an urgent need to provide culturally competent care for
patients—that is, care that is concerned about cultural issues—and tailors
interactions and interventions in ways that appropriately takes culture into account.
Societies around the world, including ours, are becoming multiethnic and polycultural.
The reality of medical care is that we treat people of diverse backgrounds
with varying customs and beliefs.