1.5 Culture

Question 1

Communication/space/time

Answer 1

Many dialects of Chinese languages

Avoid conflict, confrontation and criticism

Priority given to “face”, harmony and emotional control

Higher value placed on group cooperation and individual modesty

Respect for authority: formal hierarchy

Direct eye contact can be uncomfortable

Physical contact

Longer term view of time

Watch the nod: it may not mean “I understand”

Question 2

Family

Answer 2

Family

Family above the individual

Discussion of something bad may make it happen “karma”

Respect for the elderly

• limited information to protect loved ones
• placement in LTC very difficult
• challenges with Advanced Directives

Decision maker traditionally the husband or eldest son

Question 3

Major causes of death/illness

Answer 3

Buddhist influence: may not admit they have health problems

Mental health problems may “shame” family

Significant patterns of health risks:

• depression
• dementia
• hep B and liver cancer
• TB in immigrant population
• cancer: varies with age, acculturation and location. Higher rates of liver, nasopharyngeal CA, breast CA, prostate CA, smoking

Impact of acculturation:

• CV disease and HTN
• Colon CA
• DM

Question 4

Health beliefs

Answer 4

Health beliefs

Yin-Yang: laws of opposing forces, imbalance= illness

• YIN: female, negative, cold
• YANG: male, positive, hot
• Food and treatments are classed on hot or cold

Five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water

Psychosomatic integration; organs are associated with emotions (i.e.: heart=”happy”, lung= “worry”)

Taoism: emphasis on selflessness, cleanliness, calm, conformity

Question 5

Sick practices

Answer 5

Traditional Chinese medical treatments

• acupuncture: uses energy pathways “chi”
• cupping
• herbs: various routes, stimulates “chi”
• meditation: stress relief

High rate of noncompliance with Western medications
Ask about the herbals

Question 6

Goal of transcultural nursing

Answer 6

Transcultural nursing is a comparative study of cultures to understand their similarities and the differences among them.
The goal is to provide culturally congruent care, or care that fits a person’s life patterns, values and system of meaning