Care of Vietnamese Americans
Culturally Competent Care of Vietnamese Americans
Carrington College California
Culturally Competent Care of Vietnamese Americans
Nurses provide care across many cultures. In this paper we will focus on the culturally competent nursing care for Vietnamese Americans who according to the US Census compose approximately 4.8% of the entire United States population. Successful medical care includes understanding of cultural beliefs and finding the ideal blend with western medicine. In order to ensure compliance with care it is critical to acknowledge health beliefs and practices of each individual’s cultural identity. The traditional Vietnamese belief is that illnesses are not caused by disease processes but due to evil spirits. Many accepted practices in Vietnamese medicine may be judged harmful or even abusive when viewed through the lens of Western medicine. Anticipation of nursing and medical needs ensures that continuity of care is provided for this group. Knowledge of specific cultural practices, such as cupping and coining, will help create supportive and trusting pathways allowing for effective communication between medical professionals and the Vietnamese. Nurses must be aware of the potential for stereotyping this group and remove any preconceptions that may hinder care. Development of preconceived notions as well as mass generalizations will inhibit effective communication and may cause the nurse to miss something of significance because it is a common finding in Vietnamese people. Effective development of nursing diagnosis using cultural awareness and understanding of health beliefs and practices leads to implementation of appropriate interventions allowing for continuity of care and goal setting for the Vietnamese clients.
Vietnamese Health Beliefs and Practices
Vietnamese view health from three overlapping viewpoints; balance between hot and cold, sickness caused by evil spirits or black magic, and cleanliness
Carrington College California
Culturally Competent Care of Vietnamese Americans
Nurses provide care across many cultures. In this paper we will focus on the culturally competent nursing care for Vietnamese Americans who according to the US Census compose approximately 4.8% of the entire United States population. Successful medical care includes understanding of cultural beliefs and finding the ideal blend with western medicine. In order to ensure compliance with care it is critical to acknowledge health beliefs and practices of each individual’s cultural identity. The traditional Vietnamese belief is that illnesses are not caused by disease processes but due to evil spirits. Many accepted practices in Vietnamese medicine may be judged harmful or even abusive when viewed through the lens of Western medicine. Anticipation of nursing and medical needs ensures that continuity of care is provided for this group. Knowledge of specific cultural practices, such as cupping and coining, will help create supportive and trusting pathways allowing for effective communication between medical professionals and the Vietnamese. Nurses must be aware of the potential for stereotyping this group and remove any preconceptions that may hinder care. Development of preconceived notions as well as mass generalizations will inhibit effective communication and may cause the nurse to miss something of significance because it is a common finding in Vietnamese people. Effective development of nursing diagnosis using cultural awareness and understanding of health beliefs and practices leads to implementation of appropriate interventions allowing for continuity of care and goal setting for the Vietnamese clients.
Vietnamese Health Beliefs and Practices
Vietnamese view health from three overlapping viewpoints; balance between hot and cold, sickness caused by evil spirits or black magic, and cleanliness
References: Borque Bearskin, R (2011). A Critical Lens on Culture in Nursing Practice. Nursing Ethics, 18(4), 548-559. doi: 10.1177/0969733011408048 Chan, N., Thompson, B., Taylor, V., Yasui, Y., Harris, J., Tu, S., Jackson, J (2007) Dong, Y. (2011). Traditional Asian Health Beliefs and Healing Practices. Dimensions of Culture. 12(5), 3-17. Gordon, S. (2010). Vietnamese Culture: Influences and Implications for Health Care. Journal for Culturally Competent Nursing, 3(21), 18-49 Le, T. N. (2008). Cultural Values, Life Experiences, and Wisdom. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 66(4), 259-281. doi:10.2190/AG.66.4.a Leever, M White, L., Klinner, C. (2012). Medicine Use of Elderly Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants and Attitudes to Home Medicines Review. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 18(1), 50-55. doi: 10.1071/PY10099.