Providing Culturally Respectful Care for Seriously Ill Vietnamese Americans

Vietnamese Americans are a heterogeneous population with a rich, shared experience and historical and cultural influences from Asia and Europe. Societal upheaval resulting from the Vietnam War and varied immigration patterns to the U.S. and levels of acculturation layer complexity to this resilient population. These experiences influence how the communities as a whole and how the family as a unit approach health care issues, their attitudes toward serious illness and care at the end of life. Challenges with caring for this population include lack of resources and training to provide culturally sensitive care, lack of appropriate advance care planning, and lack of interpreters or culture-specific care programs.
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Tags: Special Series: Diversity Source Type: research