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. 1995 Jul;10(7):369-74.
doi: 10.1007/BF02599832.

"Strong medicine": Cambodian views of medicine and medical compliance

J Shimada  1 , J C Jackson, E Goldstein, D Buchwald
Affiliations

"Strong medicine": Cambodian views of medicine and medical compliance

J Shimada et al. J Gen Intern Med. 1995 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: To identify important determinants of noncompliance among Cambodian refugees.

Design: Open-ended interviews.

Setting: University-affiliated ambulatory care clinic in an inner-city hospital.

Participants: Thirty adult Cambodian refugees (15 men and 15 women) who were regular utilizers of a refugee clinic.

Measurements and main results: Sixty-seven percent of the participants described being noncompliant with at least one of their medications. Four common causes of noncompliance were identified: 1) misunderstanding the intent of the medication; 2) side effects; 3) concern about the effect of medication on "internal strength"; and 4) Cambodian ideas about pharmacokinetics.

Conclusions: Noncompliance was commonly reported by the Cambodian respondents. Noncompliance was both intentional and unintentional; the unintended noncompliance derived from patients' attempting to comply with therapy according to Cambodian ideas about the body and Western medication. This article suggests clinical approaches to enhance compliance with prescribed regimens among recent Cambodian immigrants and refugees.

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