英语论文网

’ 2
The views of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, who had been practicing in the UK
for over 10 years, were also sought. Her testimony corroborates the indicative findings of this
study and provide a good baseline for understanding the needs of a specific group within the
Chinese community, namely those working in the catering industry, but by no means provide
conclusive evidence. It should be noted that this testimony was given without any knowledge
of the study sample or its findings.
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‘Most Chinese people work in the catering trade and I think most of their problems stem from
their work environment and long working hours etc. I think most of their illnesses are
occupational, mostly repetitive strain injury with back, arm and neck pain. The smoke in the
kitchen is also not good for conditions like hay fever and asthma.
They also have poor dietary habits and this is a result of their background, they are less
educated - they have less knowledge regarding healthy eating. They eat a lot of fried and
fatty foods, high in cholesterol. This leads to hypertension, diabetes, heart disease.
Their main problem is their lack of knowledge of health, how to maintain good health and
how to access health information.
This applies to the whole country, not just Shropshire.’
6. GP Survey
A survey of all GP surgeries in Shropshire County was undertaken. A short questionnaire
that asked for the number of Chinese patients on the register and whether or not the surgery
provides interpreters was sent to 45 practices. 15 questionnaires were returned. Of these, 2
reported that they did not record or did not have the facility to record ethnicity. 3 could not
provide precise numbers and 4 reported nil Chinese patients. Only 2 said that the practice
provides interpreters. Eight out of 9 practices who reported Chinese patients answered the
GP questionnaire (Table 8).
Responses to the GP questionnaire are supplied in Appendix D and the main findings are
summarised here.
There were no particular concerns regarding health, although language was a problem for 4
GPs. However, they thought that the interpreters, who were usually family members, were
effective. Anxiety in elderly Chinese caused by language and cultural differences were a
concern for one GP.
‘Tendency for older Chinese patients, who do not speak much English, to somatosize their
anxiety’
No particular health needs were identified – nearly all the GPs stated that Chinese patients’
health needs were the same as those of all other patients.
Common health problems were children’s upper respiratory tract infections. Asthma,
migraine, eczema and gastritis were also mentioned by one GP.
The GPs did not think that there were any cultural differences that might affect help-seeking
behaviour although language and body language (and lack of this) were mentioned by one
as a significant barrier.
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Table 8. GP survey: Summary of response
Location No. of Chinese
patients on
register
Does the
Practice
provide
interpreters?
GP
questionnaire
answered?
Bishops Castle Sorry – we do not have the facility to record ethnic
origin with our current software.
Bridgnorth Do not record ethnicity.
Church
Stretton
Unknown N Y
Clive,
Shrewsbury
0 - -
Craven Arms 2 N Y
Ditton Priors,
Bridgnorth
0 - -
Ellesmere
(Ellesmere