Chinese population growth in the United States is expected to accelerate more rapidly than that of any other Asian group in the coming decades. As a result, nurses will be encountering members of this diverse and rich cultural group more frequently. A better understanding of the cultural beliefs, customs, and health care practices of Chinese Americans can only improve the quality of nursing care provided for these clients. Awareness of the barriers to health care that confront many Chinese Americans will be useful in designing appropriate nursing interventions. Knowledge of the positive and negative effects of some traditional Chinese health care practices can be incorporated into individualized client teaching plans.
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