Gender Value Differences

I generally spend an small amount of time thinking about cultural gender value differences. It so happens, however, that I was in my physician's office last week complaining about difficulty sleeping. She is from a different culture than my own. My doctor asked me about things that may be bothering me and we talked at some length about my husband's difficulty/surgery with his sore hip and its replacement. She asked me several questions about his status. She did tell me about various medications that could reduce my related anxiety and make it possible for me to sleep more comfortably. I told her that my daytime tension was the worst and that I would like to take my medication during the day. She told me that she knew that it could make me more comfortable but asked me to refrain from taking it when I felt a need for it because "How could you take care of your husband?"
Clearly, his discomfort takes priority - at least in her culture. The above leaves me wondering how many medical decision may have a cultural basis. Do cultural factors influence medical beliefs?

"Call me old fashioned but it is clear that respecting women is one of the most important things in life."