title: Health-seeking beliefs of cardiovascular patients: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims were to (a) describe the experiences of Chinese Australians with heart disease following discharge from hospital for an acute cardiac event; (b) identify patterns and cultural differences of Chinese Australians following discharge from hospital; and (c) illustrate the illness/health seeking behaviors and health beliefs of Chinese Australians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interview data were obtained from the following sources: (a) focus groups of Chinese community participants without heart disease; (b) interviews with patients recently discharged from hospital following an admission for an acute cardiac event; and (c) interviews with Chinese-born health professionals working in Australia. Qualitative thematic analysis was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study themes generated from the data were: (1) linking traditional values and beliefs with Western medicine; (2) reverence for health professionals and family; and (3) juxtaposing traditional beliefs and self-management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the influence of cultural values in developing health care plans and clinical decision making is important.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cardiovascular & Chronic Care Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Health, University of Technology, Sydney & Curtin University, Sydney, Australia. p.davidson@curtin.edu.au
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paull
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DiGiacomo
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: Yingjuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: HuiYun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge