The objective is to review the concepts of beliefs and practices of health care as cultural expressions in order to highlight to caregivers the necessary aspects for them to provide a culturally consistent care, a more human and effective one. From the conception of culture as a human creation which influences and shapes people's beliefs and practices, some definitions of the concepts as of social psicology, anthropology, sociology and transcultural nursing aspects are revised. We found that

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... h beliefs and healthcare practices were originated and developed within the social context, they are mutually influenced and they are a part of the dynamic character which allows culture to favor the adaptation of a person to his/her environment. Taking into account cultural aspects, gives care a human touch and helps achieve therapeutic objectives. This conceptual revision is a product of the doctoral thesis "Beliefs and care practices of older people in a disability situation, in a context of poverty in Cartagena", which is worked on within the projects of the Cultural Health Care group, Nursing Faculty of the Colombia National University, Bogotá.El objetivo es revisar los conceptos de creencias y prácticas del cuidado de la salud como expresiones culturales con el propósito de poner a consideración de los cuidadores aspectos necesarios para brindar un cuidado culturalmente congruente, más humano y efectivo. Partiendo de la concepción de cultura como creación humana que influye y moldea las creencias y las prácticas de las personas, se revisan algunas definiciones de los conceptos desde la psicología social, la antropología, la sociología y la enfermería transcultural. Se encontró que tanto las creencias como las prácticas de cuidado de la salud se originan y desarrollan dentro del contexto social, se influyen mutuamente y son parte del carácter dinámico que permite a la cultura favorecer la adaptación de la persona a su entorno. Tener en cuenta los aspectos culturales le da un toque humano al cuidado y f [...]