Cultural barriers to effective medical care among Indochinese patients.

Since 1975, over 600,000 Indochinese refugees have resettled in the United States. This patient population has significant personal health problems in need of medical treatment. However, Indochinese refugees frequently underutilize existing health care services. This, in part, results from major cultural barriers between patient and provider. A review is provided of the history of the recent Indochinese immigration and the cultural traits, religious beliefs, and health care practices of this refugee population. This information is provided in the hope that health care providers will learn to understand the Indochinese refugee as a patient and reduce those cultural barriers that appear to limit their access to medical care in this country.