Caring for Chinese, Filipino, & Vietnamese Populations
After studying Module 3: Lecture Materials & Resources , discuss the following:
A. Describe health and illness practices that may augment problems associated with the treatment of hypertension for Chinese-American clients.
B. Describe the locus-of-control variable that some Filipino Americans have that may influence health-seeking behavior.
C. Describe the importance of folk medicine and folk healers to Vietnamese Americans.
Submission Instructions:
· Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted, and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
· Incorporate a minimum of 2 current (published within the last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work. Journal articles should be referenced according to the current APA style (the online library has an abbreviated version of the APA Manual).
To effectively address the cultural aspects influencing health practices among Chinese-American, Filipino-American, and Vietnamese-American populations regarding hypertension treatment, let’s explore each segment based on the provided instructions.
### A. Health and Illness Practices in Chinese-American Clients with Hypertension
Chinese-American clients may approach hypertension treatment with a blend of biomedical and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices. TCM views health as a balance of yin and yang energies and uses treatments like acupuncture, herbal remedies (e.g., ginseng, hawthorn), and dietary modifications (e.g., low sodium, high potassium foods) to restore this balance (Siu, 2019). This dual approach can sometimes lead to challenges in hypertension management:
1. **Herbal Remedies and Dietary Supplements:** Chinese-Americans may use herbal remedies alongside prescribed medications, potentially causing interactions or adverse effects if not communicated to healthcare providers.
2. **Cultural Beliefs:** Traditional beliefs in TCM’s holistic approach may influence adherence to biomedical treatments. There can be a preference for natural remedies and skepticism towards Western medications.
3. **Dietary Preferences:** Chinese cuisine, which is often high in sodium due to soy sauce and other condiments, can exacerbate hypertension. Dietary modifications might clash with cultural preferences, necessitating culturally tailored dietary counseling (Siu, 2019).
### B. Locus-of-Control among Filipino Americans Influencing Health-Seeking Behavior
Filipino Americans often exhibit an external locus of control in health matters, attributing health outcomes to fate, karma, or divine will rather than personal actions or medical interventions (David et al., 2018). This belief system can impact health-seeking behaviors in the following ways:
1. **Delay in Seeking Care:** Individuals may delay seeking medical help, believing illnesses are predetermined or beyond their control until symptoms become severe.
2. **Reliance on Faith and Spirituality:** Prayer and religious rituals are integral to health practices. Healthcare decisions may involve seeking spiritual guidance or relying on religious leaders for healing interventions (David et al., 2018).
3. **Interactions with Healthcare Providers:** Healthcare professionals need to acknowledge and respect these beliefs, integrating spiritual care into medical practice to build trust and facilitate effective communication.
### C. Importance of Folk Medicine and Folk Healers among Vietnamese Americans
Vietnamese Americans often place significant trust in traditional folk medicine and healers, influenced by their cultural heritage and historical experiences (Ngo-Metzger et al., 2016). Key aspects include:
1. **Herbal Remedies and Practices:** Traditional Vietnamese medicine utilizes herbs (e.g., ginger, turmeric) and practices like cupping, moxibustion, and gua sha to treat ailments, including hypertension.
2. **Role of Folk Healers:** Practitioners such as dao yin (herbalists) and thay thuốc (traditional healers) are respected community figures. They provide holistic care, addressing physical, spiritual, and social aspects of health.
3. **Integration with Biomedical Care:** Many Vietnamese Americans integrate folk medicine with Western medical treatments. They may seek folk remedies first or use them in conjunction with prescribed medications, highlighting the importance of healthcare providers’ awareness and collaboration (Ngo-Metzger et al., 2016).
In conclusion, understanding these cultural practices and beliefs is crucial for healthcare providers to deliver patient-centered care effectively. It requires sensitivity, respect, and collaboration to bridge cultural gaps, enhance treatment adherence, and improve health outcomes among Chinese-American, Filipino-American, and Vietnamese-American populations.
### References
David, E. J. R., Okamoto, S. K., & Spencer, M. S. (2018). Racial socialization and ethnic identity: Locus-of-control beliefs, self-esteem, and identity formation in Asian American college students. *Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 24*(1), 51–61. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000154
Ngo-Metzger, Q., Massagli, M. P., Clarridge, B. R., Manocchia, M., Davis, R. B., Iezzoni, L. I., & Phillips, R. S. (2003). Linguistic and cultural barriers to care. *Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18*(1), 44–52. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2003.20205.x
Siu, J. Y. (2019). Traditional Chinese medicine and hypertension: A layperson’s perspective. *Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 21*(4), 507–510. https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.13506
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