
Navigating Telehealth in Limited English Proficiency Populations
The goal of this article is to highlight best practices in Telemedicine as they are emerging during the Covid-19 pandemic and the barriers and facilitators to a successful Telehealth visit with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients.
August 3, 2020 · Article, PDF
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“Fever” in SE Asians. Does it really mean an elevated body temperature?
A short clinical pearl about a complaint of fever, but the patient doesn't have a fever in the doctor's office.
September 16, 2019 · Article
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Overcoming Barriers to Care for Hepatitis B Virus Among SE Asians in King County: Literature Review
This literature review explores the burden of Hepatitis B Virus in Southeast Asian countries and immigrants in the United States, and explores the existing barriers to testing and treatment, as well as intervention and testing recommendations for providers.
February 7, 2019 · Article
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Translated Nurse-to-Patient Communication Pages – Harborview
Pages developed with nurses and interpreters to aid caregivers in communicating basic information to their patients.
October 5, 2016
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Advance Directives Presentation – Khmer/English
This is a 41 minute video presentation of a discussion led by Dr. Alex Molnar (Harborview Med Center/Univ of WA) with a community group of Cambodian Americans about the subjects of advance directives and end-of-life decision making.
October 2, 2015 · Video
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Phrases of Courtesy in Nine Languages: A Tool for Medical Providers
Features videos of native speakers saying phrases of courtesy in nine languages. This tool is to help develop rapport in the interpreted health encounter.
August 8, 2013 · Article, Video
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Cambodian Terms for Hypertension May Cause Misunderstandings about the Disease
This article discusses the lay and medical terms used for hypertension in Khmer language and their influence on patients’ understanding of the disease.
February 26, 2013 · Article
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Saving Face: Recognizing and Managing the Stigma of Mental Illness in Asian Americans
The overarching goal of the video is to demonstrate a culturally competent approach to addressing the stigma of mental illness in Asian-American patients.
January 26, 2011 · PDF, Video
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Cambodian Perinatal Culture-Bound Syndromes: Providing Care to Cambodian Women with Toas
Information about postpartum period sor sai kchey, which alludes to a period of fragile health lasting from one to three months after childbirth during which many traditional postpartum practices are followed.
December 2, 2010 · Article
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Ethnographic Study among Seattle Cambodians: Dizziness
A small ethnographic study on dizziness in Cambodians. This symptom is a common complaint among Cambodian patients.
August 18, 2009 · Article
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Ethnographic Study among Seattle Cambodians: Fever
A small ethnographic study on fever in Cambodians. This symptom is a common complaint among Cambodian patients.
August 18, 2009 · Article
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Cambodian Annual Celebrations
Annual Khmer celebrations are listed in this community calendar resource. Many of these are holidays, but some are not.
August 6, 2009 · PDF
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Cambodian Tuberculosis Cultural Profile
Some cultural information about tuberculosis in Cambodian communities.
July 15, 2009 · Article
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Cambodian Shop Around Program
Description of a pilot project to promote healthy eating and dietary management of diabetes in Seattle's Cambodian community.
February 1, 2009 · Article
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Naming in Cambodian Culture
How naming is done in Cambodian culture and the implications for medical records.
October 6, 2008 · Article
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Khmer New Year
Short article about Cambodian New Year traditions, taken from comments given at a New Year's celebration.
September 19, 2008 · Article
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Cambodian Marriage
Information about marriage in Cambodian culture, including arranged marriage, gender roles, dowry and domestic violence issues
February 13, 2008 · Article
1202860800

General Etiquette in Cambodian Society
Information about traditional greetings, respect for elders and Monks.
February 7, 2008 · Article
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Death in Cambodian Buddhist Culture
Information about Cambodian Buddhist perspectives and funeral practices during times of death.
January 8, 2008 · Article
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Khmer Language: Fonts and Romanization
There are a number of types of Khmer fonts being used locally and internationally, but only a few of them are commonly used. This article includes links to some of those fonts that are available for downloading.
January 1, 2008 · Article
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Diabetes in Cambodian Americans
Information about how diabetes is understood and managed by participants in a diabetes education class at Harborview Medical Center.
February 1, 2006 · Article
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Cambodian Postpartum Practices
Article about postpartum traditions in Cambodian culture.
September 1, 2004 · Article
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Informal Assessment: At-Risk Cambodian Youth in Seattle
State of Washington has the third largest Cambodian refugee population in the U.S. with most Cambodians living in Seattle/King County.
July 1, 2003 · Article
1057017600

Nutrition and Fasting in Cambodian Culture
Information about traditional nutrition and commonly consumed foods in the Cambodian community in Seattle.
June 1, 2001 · Article
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Ethnographic Study among Seattle Cambodians: Wind Illness
A small ethnographic study on wind illness in Cambodians. This is a common complaint among Cambodian patients. This information includes identification of primary terms and definitions used in translation for wind illness, and concerns and health practices associated with the illness.
November 1, 1997 · Article
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Delayed Bottle Weaning and Iron Deficiency in Southeast Asian Toddlers
This study was undertaken to determine if culturally influenced feeding practices are associated with iron deficiency in infants and toddlers from low-income families, including Southeast Asian families.
July 1, 1997 · Article
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Peripartum and Infant Care Issues and Practices among Refugee Groups in Seattle
Some traditional practices around pregnancy and infant care in Southeast Asian and East African groups in Seattle.
August 1, 1996
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Circular Burn Scarring on Asian and African Patients
A short clinical pearl about patterned circular scars on the skin of Asian and African patients.
August 1, 1996 · Article
838857600

Cambodian Asthma Cultural Profile
Information about Cambodian perspectives on Asthma.
February 1, 1995 · Article
791596800
External Resources
Please also see our Related Websites page for a selected list of websites related to the populations or topics covered on EthnoMed.
- 'Strong medicine': Cambodian views of medicine and medical compliance.
Identifying important determinants of noncompliance among Cambodian refugees. - Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)
A centralized location to find current information about Asian Pacific Islander (API ) health status and issues affecting API health. - Cambodian Genocide Program
The Cambodian Genocide Program, a project of the Genocide Studies Program at Yale University's MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, has been studying events to learn as much as possible about the tragedy, and to help determine who was responsible for the crimes of the Pol Pot regime. - Cardiovascular Risk in the Cambodian Community
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) worked in partnership with the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health to assess the cardiovascular health status of AAPIs. The Cambodian community is the third of four AAPI populations studied. Others are Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Native Hawaiians. This PDF is a collaborative report from the NHLBI, the AAPIA Health Forum, and Lowell Community Health Center. - Comorbid Mental and Physical Health and Health Access in Cambodian Refugees in the US
Little research has been conducted on the prevalence of physical health problems in Cambodian refugees and the relationship between their mental and physical health. We identified the relationship between mental and physical health problems and barriers to healthcare access in Cambodian refugee adults. - Cultural Influences on Infant Feeding Practices
Link to 2009 journal article from Pediatrics in Review (Authors: Pak-Gorstein, Haq, Graham), used with permission. - Genocide Studies Program - Yale University
ounded in January 1998 to expand the work begun in 1994 by Yale University’s Cambodian Genocide Program, the Genocide Studies Program at Yale’s MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies conducts research, seminars and conferences on comparative, interdisciplinary, and policy issues relating to the phenomenon of genocide, and has provided training to researchers from afflicted regions, including Cambodia, Rwanda, and East Timor. - Hepatitis B Coalition of Washington (HBCW)
HBCW has worked to bring hepatitis B awareness and education to the API community since 1997, and has since expanded work to other populations from high risk regions. Work includes exploration into culturally appropriate and effective strategies for reaching families and household members of positive individuals, and promoting understanding of the liver disease, including testing, immunizations and treatment for hepatitis B. HBCW is a network of health care professionals and community volunteers, health departments, community clinics, and nonprofit organizations. - Khmer Health Advocates
Khmer Health Advocates (KHA) is an organization created to ensure appropriate access to healthcare is available to the Cambodian American survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide, along with their families. Based in West Hartford, CT, KHA provides treatment for those living in Southern New England, as well as advocating for survivors nationwide. - Lead Poisoning of a Child Associated with Use of a Cambodian Amulet
This CDC report identified a case in which the likely source of lead exposure in a young child in the U.S. was a traditional amulet made in Cambodia with leaded beads that was worn by the child. - Multicultural Health - A Guide for Health Professionals (Australia)
Community Profiles for Health Care Providers is a practical tool that assists health care providers to better understand the health beliefs, pre-migration experiences, communication preferences and other aspects of their clients' culture. The profiles provide information for health care providers on the communication styles, health in Australia, health beliefs and practices, social determinants of health and utilization of health services of 18 multicultural communities. Includes specific resources with focus on the pregnancy, birth and post-natal care practices of 11 communities. - Podcast: Cambodians in Washington—Do you know what happens to unprocessed trauma?
Conversation with medical interpreter, Jennifer Huong discussing how unprocessed trauma manifests and how the lack of community spaces can lead to further isolation. - Podcast: Cambodians in Washington—Let's talk about the Khmer Rouge, James Heng
Podcast conversation about the Cambodian community with James Heng, a DSHS-certified Khmer interpreter and Khmer Health Board Member- trauma, mental health, interpreter services, & traditional practices. - Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition (SEAMAAC)
SEAMAAC's mission is to support and serve immigrants and refugees and other politically, socially and economically marginalized communities as they seek to advance the condition of their lives in the United States.