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Describe health and illness practices that may augment problems associated with the treatment of hypertension for Chinese-American clients.
Describe the locus-of-control variable that some Filipino Americans have that may influence health-seeking behavior.
Describe the importance of folk medicine and folk healers to Vietnamese Americans.
Licensed by GoogleSeveral health and illness practices among Chinese-Americans may augment problems associated with the treatment of hypertension. A common practice is the belief in a balance of yin and yang to maintain health. Hypertension may be viewed as an imbalance, often associated with an excess of "yang" energy. Therefore, clients may rely on dietary changes, herbal remedies, or acupuncture to restore this balance, sometimes instead of, or in addition to, prescribed Western medication. Another factor is the high value placed on family and community opinion. A family member's advice or a traditional healer's recommendation may hold more weight than a Western doctor's, leading to inconsistent medication use.
Additionally, some Chinese-Americans may distrust Western medicine due to historical injustices or a lack of culturally competent care, leading to non-adherence. The cultural value of stoicism can also lead clients to underreport symptoms or side effects, making it difficult for healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans. This combination of traditional beliefs, family influence, and cultural norms can directly interfere with the consistent, long-term medication use necessary to manage hypertension effectively.
For some Filipino Americans, a key variable influencing health-seeking behavior is a concept called "bahala na," which translates roughly to "come what may" or "it's up to God." This fatalistic, external locus of control belief can lead individuals to believe that health outcomes are a result of fate or divine will rather than personal actions. This perspective may discourage proactive health behaviors like regular check-ups, medication adherence, or seeking early treatment for symptoms. If a health problem is seen as a pre-destined event, a person may feel that taking preventative steps or consistently following a treatment plan is futile
This external locus of control can be a significant barrier to care, as it may lead to a passive approach to health. Healthcare providers must recognize this cultural belief and work to reframe the conversation around health, emphasizing the patient's agency and the positive impact of their choices within their personal or spiritual framework.
Folk medicine and folk healers are of immense importance to many Vietnamese Americans, often serving as the primary source of healthcare. This practice is deeply rooted in a belief system that sees illness as a product of an imbalance between internal and external forces, such as hot and cold. Folk healers (thay thuoc) are highly respected figures within the community. They often use a combination of herbal remedies, spiritual rituals, and physical practices like "coining" (cao gio) or "cupping" (gai gio) to draw out illness.
For many Vietnamese Americans, folk medicine is a culturally familiar and trusted alternative or complement to Western medicine. Patients may visit a folk healer first and only seek Western medical care when folk remedies fail. A lack of understanding or respect for these practices by Western healthcare providers can damage trust and lead to non-adherence to prescribed treatments. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to acknowledge and respect the role of folk medicine in their patients' lives and to integrate these beliefs into the care plan whenever possible, rather than dismissing them.