Use of Chinese therapies among Chinese patients seeking emergency department care

We observed that many Chinese-Americans presenting to our emergency department use traditional Chinese therapies. We therefore conducted a survey using a convenience sample of first- and second-generation adult Chinese immigrants to characterize their use of traditional therapies. Seventy-six patients completed the survey; 43% had used Chinese therapy within 1 week of the ED visit. Use of Chinese therapies was common among first- and second-generation immigrants (44% and 42%, respectively). Patients claiming affiliation with a practitioner of Chinese medicine used Chinese therapies most frequently (60%). However, those lacking a traditional therapist and those associated with a Western physician also used traditional therapies frequently (38% and 41%, respectively). Many Chinese patients visit both a Western and a Chinese practitioner (17%). Emergency physicians treating Chinese-Americans should consider the possibility of concomitant use of traditional therapies. Physicians should be aware of the medical and social implications of alternative medical therapies.