Chapter 6 Summary and Analysis

Unfavorable reports of Americans continued to trickle back to the refugee camps. The cycle of misunderstandings, fear, and distrust was perpetuated. These negative feelings were not relieved by the attending physicians, mostly because the physicians were unaware of how grossly they were perceived. At that time, American universities failed to teach its students classes in cross-cultural empathy and communication. Therefore, the newly graduated physicians didn't recognize the Hmong patient's beliefs, and even if recognition had occurred the personnel wouldn't have known what to do to accommodate it. Considering that the Hmong believe in illnesses of the soul and the importance of a mind/body/soul connection, it was nearly impossible for the doctors to satisfy the Hmong by practicing only Western medicine. A more agreeable treatment plan would include therapy and job placement, thereby boosting self confidence, productivity, and generalized happiness...