The coronavirus pandemic has had not only devastating physiological but also undesirable social consequences. In particular, many doctors and representatives of other professions among Asian Americans face stigma and racial prejudices expressed by pandemic-anxious people. Sometimes, the patients refuse to receive care from Asian American doctors or do not adhere to their advice, showing disrespect (“Asian American health-care workers,” 2020). These ‘haters’ believe that Asian people are responsible for the pandemic outbreak and its further spread on the North American continent. To make the situation even more embarrassing, such people usually mix up the immigrants who come from China with Asian Americans, who may have Indonesian or other origins and have never been to China.
Another problem is discrimination in the access to medical services among citizens of Asian origin due to the lack of encouragement targeted at Asian American individuals. Quinn (2018) notes that “Asian Americans with mental health problems are more likely to be seen in the emergency department or among hospitalized patients” (par. 4). A study held in 2009 found that white people were twice as likely to be diagnosed with mental health problems as Asian Americans, and the situation did not significantly change since that time. Among the diagnosed patients, white people were “twice as likely to receive medication” (Quinn, 2018, par. 4). Recent research confirms that similar trends apply to other racial and ethnic minorities. These individuals do not receive medical care even if available, as they are less likely to seek medical attention.
However, the trend can be reversed by adopting an equitable and culturally competent approach to medical service delivery. In particular, doctors and nurses have to understand the stigma regarding mental illnesses that exists among Asian Americans and recognize the specific vocabulary used to describe symptoms associated with emotional or mental disorders. Asian culture discourages the exchange of emotions, and among migrants who are busy with more pressing issues, sharing feelings may not be part of the daily family routine.
Interestingly, there is skepticism among Asian Americans about Western medicine. Therefore, doctors may prescribe scientifically approved herbal analogs for certain drugs popular in alternative and complementary medicine. Eastern medicine influenced the development of alternative medicine greatly, connecting alternative healing therapeutic methods with the traditional medical approaches (“We shouldn’t use labels,” 2015). Chinese medicine uses medicinal plants extensively, and a personalized approach taken by doctors could significantly improve hospital attendance rates.
Reference
Asian American health-care workers describe racist incidents. (2020). Web.
Quinn, C. (2018). Mass. study shows major mental healthcare disparity between Whites and Asian-Americans. GBH. Web.
We shouldn’t use labels like “alternative” and “conventional” medicine. (2015). Web.