Working With Burmese Patients: Understanding Historical and Cultural Contexts to Improve Health Care Access and Health Status

Date of Review: November, 2024

This resource describes a single-session, 60-minute workshop on an overview of Burmese patients in Burma and the United States, their health care status, and barriers to health care, with the goal of increasing the knowledge and confidence of trainees and clinicians for the care of Burmese patients. The workshop primarily consists of a Powerpoint presentation with information on this patient population, many of whom have resettled in the United States as refugees. In addition to providing information on Burmese history, conflicts, demographics, and culture, the workshop also presents information on common risk factors among Burmese patients, common barriers to care, and recommendations for providers to address this group’s needs. Strengths of the curriculum include the relative ease of conducting the workshop, both with regard to its brief length, minimal resource requirements, and relatively large amount of information on a population that is relatively new to the U.S. Limitations include the relatively didactic nature of the session, and the potential need to update workshop materials to account for recent developments in ongoing armed conflicts within Burma (i.e., Myanmar). Nevertheless, it provides potentially valuable information for trainees and clinicians who seek to know more, and provide better care, to a population whose needs they may have been unfamiliar with. –David Liss, PhD, NCEAS

Corresponding Author’s Email:

wangt2@amc.edu

Institution:

Albany Medical College

Where was the Curriculum Implemented:

Albany, NY

Outcomes that Have Been Reported for the Curriculum:

Measured in learner knowledge

Self-reported learner attitude

Outcome and Study Design:

Pre/Post