Cultural Competency - Multicultural Health Generalizations: Vietnamese
Vietnamese Patients and Respect for Authority
- In general, the Vietnamese culture values respect for authority, avoidance of shame and conflict, and politeness.
- Some patients may not ask questions, may not voice disagreement or concern, and may not reveal intentions or actions that seem in contrast to a physician's wishes.
- If patients disagree or do not understand, they may simply listen and respond with a "yes" out of respect for authority (aka: saving face), but then not return for further care or comply with recommendations.
- It can be helpful to ask for further feedback from patients to ensure understanding and agreement, especially when obtaining consent to treatment.
- Asking patients to share alternatives could increase treatment compliance while acknowledging cultural values.
Source: Pamela LaBorde, MD, Vietnamese Cultural Profile, EthnoMed, University of Washington, Seattle, WA July, 1996. http://healthlinks.washington.edu/clinical/ethnomed/vietnamesecp.html#interpersonal (disabled) (2004, Mar. 15) Redirected to: http://ethnomed.org/ethnomed/cultures/vietnamese/
vietnamese_cp.html#interpersonal
Traditional Medical Practices of Vietnamese Subcultures
- The mountain dwelling Mien and H'mong subcultures of the Vietnamese culture intertwine medicine and religion.
- Sickness is believed to come from the wrath of the gods.
- The physician is a priest who negotiates with the gods to remove the sickness. These priests are considered superhuman. If they fail to alleviate the illness it is not their failure, but the will of the gods.
- Conversion to Christianity and urban living has lessened the use of shamans (even before moving to the US), but the belief in external causes of sickness remains.
- The Mien and H'mong groups often resist invasive techniques and see a physician who does not intrude on the body as the best healer.
- Traditional herbal remedies, tonics, massage, and avoidance of excess are seen as the pathways to good health.
- Western health care might be sought after traditional methods prove to be ineffective.
Source:
LaBorde, P. (July 1996). Vietnamese cultural profile. (Online). EthnoMed.http://www.ethnomed.org/ethnomed/cultures/Vietnamese/vietnamese_cp.html#traditional (2001, Aug. 30).
