Vietnamese Americans' attitudes concerning communication disorders

Abstract

Health care professionals are increasingly challenged when providing patient-centered care for individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as the demographics continue to change in the United States. This is uniquely challenging for professionals providing care to persons with communication needs. In this study, a survey was conducted to assess the attitudes of Vietnamese Americans' concerning communication disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate (1) the general attitudes of Vietnamese Americans' concerning communication disorders including the beliefs about causes, and general perceptions, (2) perceptions which may support or hinder seeking treatment, and (3) the differences between these attitudes based on age and English proficiency. In order to reach the greatest number of individuals, a survey format was utilized. Interview questions were designed to further investigate the opinions and experiences of ten survey participants. The results indicated that the attitudes were more positive then hypothesized. Possible hindrances included language barriers, ethnic identity and financial barriers. Overarching themes expressed in the interviews were: self reliance, collectivist culture, and communication barriers. Trends: financial barriers, lack of knowledge and generational differences were noted across themes.