Date of Presentation
5-4-2023 12:00 AM
College
School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
Among Asian-American patients, complementary and alternative medicine is utilized at an exceedingly high rate alongside conventional medicine, due to it being more readily accessible and affordable. It is also a form of medicine that Asian people are more attuned to due to having been used for generations in their culture.1 Surveys conducted by Mackenzie et al., demonstrate that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is reportedly used at a higher rate in females of Asian descent and amongst uninsured patients as well as with patients of a lower educational status. 2 In addition, multiple studies have also demonstrated that patients suffering from more than 1 chronic conditions tend to use CAM alongside their conventional therapies. 2, 3 CAM usage was also noted to be increased among individuals who had a financial earning of at least $75,000 yearly. 3 Based on the data, it is clear that Asian cultures place a heavy emphasis on traditional medical practices, whether they be herbal, Eastern, ayurvedic, or otherwise. A healthcare provider must be conscientious of these issues and spend more time understanding the patient’s viewpoint and in detailing the importance of why they must adhere with conventional therapies. In addition, a provider must also take into consideration potential side effects that may occur due to a combination of the two types of treatments. As Asian patients are less likely to report their use of traditional medications, the patient-physician relation must be strong in order for the physician to obtain the needed information and to treat the patient adequately.
Keywords
Complementary Therapies, Traditional Medicine, Physician-Patient Relations, Cultural Competency, Immigrants, Asian Americans
Disciplines
Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Health and Medical Administration | Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons
Differences between Complementary and Alternative Medicine use Among Chinese Immigrants
Among Asian-American patients, complementary and alternative medicine is utilized at an exceedingly high rate alongside conventional medicine, due to it being more readily accessible and affordable. It is also a form of medicine that Asian people are more attuned to due to having been used for generations in their culture.1 Surveys conducted by Mackenzie et al., demonstrate that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is reportedly used at a higher rate in females of Asian descent and amongst uninsured patients as well as with patients of a lower educational status. 2 In addition, multiple studies have also demonstrated that patients suffering from more than 1 chronic conditions tend to use CAM alongside their conventional therapies. 2, 3 CAM usage was also noted to be increased among individuals who had a financial earning of at least $75,000 yearly. 3 Based on the data, it is clear that Asian cultures place a heavy emphasis on traditional medical practices, whether they be herbal, Eastern, ayurvedic, or otherwise. A healthcare provider must be conscientious of these issues and spend more time understanding the patient’s viewpoint and in detailing the importance of why they must adhere with conventional therapies. In addition, a provider must also take into consideration potential side effects that may occur due to a combination of the two types of treatments. As Asian patients are less likely to report their use of traditional medications, the patient-physician relation must be strong in order for the physician to obtain the needed information and to treat the patient adequately.