In "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down," Anne Fadiman illustrates the cultural challenges in healthcare by highlighting examples from the Bronx and Queens. Pediatrician Luis Estevez successfully integrates Santeria spiritual practices into his medical referrals for Puerto Rican and Dominican patients, while psychiatrist Yasmin Collazo facilitates traditional healing by allowing a curandero to perform a ceremony for a schizophrenic patient. This indicates a unique approach to medicine that respects and incorporates cultural beliefs.

Dr. Collazo observed that the patient's cooperation with her antipsychotic treatment improved significantly after the curandero's cleansing ritual. This suggests that combining traditional and modern medical practices can enhance treatment outcomes by addressing patients' cultural contexts. Fadiman’s work emphasizes the importance of understanding the intersection of cultural beliefs and medical practices to provide effective healthcare.