Please refer to the full text of the highlighted points related to the following summary points.
1 General cultural features and social experience - Fusion of beliefs:
Chinese people tend to be influenced by a fusion of belief systems that developed in China over previous millennia. These include Confucianism, a code governing personal behaviour and societalfunctioning; Taoism, which promoted the need to maintain a balance between Yin and Yang; Buddhism, which developed in China as a religion relatively free of prescribed ritual; and Chinese folk religion, which includes worship of the family ancestors, etc. (Fulltext of Essential Point 1 in General cultural features and social experience - Fusion of beliefs)
2 General cultural features and social experience- Social interaction norms:
Chinese and some other Asians are socialised to conduct themselves to particular standards in public settings, which are indicators of respect forthe other. As a result, social interaction is often different to the Western norm. (Fulltext of Essential Point 2 in General cultural features and social experience - Fusion of beliefs)
3 General cultural features and social experience- Naming convention:
Chinese naming conventions are different to the Western norm; in China the surname is written first. In the Western world many Chinese reverse the order of the name so that it appears like a Western name. (Fulltext of Essential Point 3 in General cultural features and social experience - Fusion of beliefs)
4 Beliefs about the treatment of illness and Traditional Medicine:
Some ethnic Chinese work with practices from Traditional Chinese Medicine, including herbs, as a first alternative in alleviating illness and complement it with Western medicine. Some Chinese may also be reluctant to force the body to recover. It may be useful to check if herbs are being used and that their content does not counter the effects of any medication prescribed. (Fulltext of Essential Point 4 in Beliefs about the treatment of illness and Traditional Medicine)
5 Religious contacts and religious practices:
Religious affiliation varies among the Chinese.
There are followers of Buddhism among the older and newer communities, Christianity, and some who indicate no particular religious affiliation. The religion followed will have implications for rituals and practices at major life events, including death. It is best to source the name of a personal contact for these purposes. Chinese community contact has given her contact details for emergencies where no family is available and these are available at the end of the section. (Fulltext of Essential Point 5 in Religious contacts and religious practices)
6 Food and the content of medicine:
The Chinese diet varies by region, hence food preferences need to be discussed with patients.
At a minimum the main meal each day should be culturally appropriate and arrangements need to be made to meet this standard. (Fulltext of Essential Point 6 in Food and the content of medicine)
7 Gender issues and modesty:
Chinese women may prefer to be treated by a female practitioner, particularly when intimate areas of the body are being examined. (Fulltext of Essential Point 7 in Gender issues and modesty)
8 Initiation ritual/infant baptism:
Where there is imminent threat to a newborn baby's life and the family is Christian it is best to check with the family if they would like the baby to be baptised. (Fulltext of Essential Point 8 in Initiation ritual/infant baptism)
