Purpose: To examine use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine (WM) in a Chinese-American patient population attending a community health clinic.
Methods: We developed a Chinese language survey, including a physical and mental health status scale, two acculturation scales, demographic determinants, and queries of frequency and type of TCM and WM used. Bilingual interviewers administered the survey. Subjects were a convenience sample of adult Chinese-American clinic patients.
Results: We administered the survey to 97 subjects: 67% response rate, average age 46 years, 65% had an annual household income under $10,000, with low acculturation. 86% used TCM in their lifetime (average of once every eight months). When asked about preference for TCM or WM for various conditions, the subjects responded:
|
Condition |
Use TCM 1st |
Use WM 1st |
Use Together 1st |
Use Neither |
|
Health Maintenance (n=97) |
51% |
4% |
31% |
14% |
|
Arthritis (n=97) |
27% |
60% |
12% |
1% |
|
URI (n=97) |
15% |
67% |
8% |
10% |
|
Depression (n=95) |
14% |
58% |
7% |
21% |
|
Cancer (n=95) |
3% |
83% |
14% |
0% |
|
Heart Attack (n=97) |
2% |
91% |
6% |
1% |
Of those who chose to use WM first, depending on the condition, 73-79% would switch to TCM if WM failed to work. 28% percent do not tell their WM health care provider about TCM use.
Conclusion:. In an immigrant Chinese-American population attending a WM clinic there may still be significant use of TCM. It is important for WM providers to speak with these patients about TCM in order to recognize the effect it may have on treatment.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session wil be able to: 1.Describe the potential characteristics of Chinese-Americans who access Western Medicine and also use Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2. Recognize potential types of conditions for which Chinese-Americans are more likely to use Traditional Medicine first over Western Medicine
Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Asian Americans
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.