Concerns About Professional Chinese Medicine Among Chinese Immigrants With Type 2 Diabetes
Minority Diabetes Reports Wednesday, November 20th, 2013Diabetes Spectrum: November 2013
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine Chinese Americans’ beliefs regarding professional Chinese medicine (CM) in diabetes management. Previous research showed substantial variations in Chinese Americans’ beliefs about the role of professional CM, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, in diabetes management. To provide culturally sensitive care, health care providers (HCPs) need a nuanced understanding of patients’ beliefs about professional CM.
Methods. An interpretive phenomenological study was conducted. The sample included 20 informant couples (40 paired individuals) who were Chinese-American immigrants living with type 2 diabetes. Nineteen additional individuals were enrolled as respondents for member-checking. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in couple, group, and individual formats with informants and in groups only with respondents. Interviews were recorded, translated, transcribed, and coded for narrative and thematic analyses. Respondent responses validated informant findings. Read More
