Cultural Nursing

One of the articles I am using is centered around the Vietnamese population receiving health care in the United States. Cuturally, there are so many differences between people that live in the United States and the native Vietnamese. Religion, language, dress, etc... are all things that are very diverse from the U.S. culture. In health care it is vital that those practicing it are respectful and courteous to those who may not understand some of their customs.

The Vietnamese people who have fled to America are here because they wanted to escape the life they had in their homeland. They want escape the war and possible death. When treating the Vietnamese, health care professionals must be cautious to understand the difficulties faced by Vietnamese.

Communication is obviously vital for proper health care. The number one language in Vietnam is Vietnamese but the second is English. There are a couple complications with this though. In Vietnamese many English words mean the same thing. Thus, causing many communication issues. They also have a gender specific language. It is important for care givers to use simple, concise statements that get to the point while still explaining them carefully. Beginning with quiet small talk directed toward the oldest member of the group is the first step to successful communication.

Non-verbal communication can be very tricky when attempting to facilitate a healthy non-verbal relationship between someone of a Vietnamese background versus someone of the United States. To Vietnamese people, hugging and kissing is seen as strictly behind closed doors activity. To greet one another men shake other men's hands but men do not shake women's hands unless the woman offers to do so first. This is a major difference in today's U.S. culture. Also, to VIetnamese, looking directly in one's eyes may be considered disrespectful, while in the U.S. culture that is deemed as the opposite.

Cultural differences are not impossible to overcome, but work to do so is required. United States citizens offering care to those of other cultures and customs must learn the most respectful and courteous way to communicate in order for proper care to be provided.