Pedro Guzman

Nutrition 510
Dietitian Role
Session 1
Dietitian Role Preparation

Researching different sources were utilized to attain a better understanding of the culture.

Understanding how Vietnamese Americans function within their families, how hierarchy order

plays a vital role with decision making, especially with health decisions, and researching some of

the main staples of dishes they consume on a regular basis was vital to attain a better

understanding of the culture. This research will give me a better understanding of how to

approach and consult my client, give me more of an idea on how to build rapport, and understand

if he’s willing to modify some of his traditional meals. Since I anticipate Mr. Pham being more

of the introverted type of person I will attempt to ask more open ended questions to gain a better

insight on his life. I will be empathetic and allow him to do most of the talking.

The Interpersonal communication style that most Vietnamese Americans exhibit is that they

don’t like accepting public assistance. Family ties are strong, families remain close knit, and this

extends all the way to their aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins1. The extended family is the

heart of the Vietnamese culture and preserving family life in their new environment is imperative

for Vietnamese Americans. The older Vietnamese American population display indirectness with

others accompanied by extreme politeness and tend to avoid making direct eye contact. Avoiding

open disagreement with others is of the norm as well, and this displays a sign of respect.

Health belief decisions made for Vietnamese Americans are not autonomous and usually

involves a collective decision involving the whole family and this is based upon their core


values2. They believe in filial piety, loyalty, social harmony, and highly value the hierarchical

order2. Even though family values have been instilled for a long time with Vietnamese

Americans, there are some trying to stray away and build upon their own autonomy to fully

assimilate into the American culture. Typically Vietnamese Americans don’t see the need to

access medical practitioners unless they know they are in dire need, for example having a life

threatening disease. Basically, if they ain’t at the brink of death then there really isn’t a need to

be in the doctors office. Also, families are against placing loved ones in long term care because

it’s portrayed as being negative and shameful.

Popular dishes within the culture include rice, as being their main staple, chicken braised with

lemon grass, fried fish, and fried beef1. Egg rolls usually are also served with many traditional

meals as well as consumed during festivities. Vietnamese restaurants are becoming more

prominent in America, with pho (rice noodle soup) being a prevalent dish for breakfast and

lunch. Typically, most of these dishes require time for preparation and since Mr. Pham is always

on the go and traveling frequently, preparing home cooked meals might be difficult to

accomplish.


Pedro Guzman
Nutrition 510
Dietitian Role
Session 1

Questions for Mr. Binh Pham.

First off, thank you for finding the time to see me since I know you have a hectic schedule, and
finding the time to come in must have been difficult so I appreciate you coming in today and
giving me your time. So, it says here that you were referred by a family practice MD?

1. Do you know why you’re here?

2. Has your doctor talked to you about GERD and the symptoms associated with it?
3. How are you feeling right now? Being in my office?
4. How are things going with your job, can you take me through a typical day at work?
5. What is a normal day of eating for you?
6. Is it okay to discuss your weight? If yes, how do you feel being at this current weight?
7. Do you have any hobbies you enjoy doing?
8. Do you exercise?
9. What do you typically eat when you’re stressed out from work as opposed to a less
stressful day?
10. What support system do you have with your family?
11. If you try to make a change do you think your family would support you?
12. How ready are you to try and modify your current diet?
13. On a scale of 1-10 how likely are you to come visit me again?
14. How do you feel now that we’re at the end of our first visit?
15. What questions do you have?

3 day food record: Mr. James Hamilton; 55 year old married African-American
Day 1
Breakfast: 6oz ham, 2cup
grits with cheese, 3 waffles
with syrup, 1 cup orange juice
Lunch: 3 pc fried chicken; 2
breast and 1 drumstick.
4oz macaroni and cheese
1 pc of cornbread
Dinner: 6oz pork, 3cups of
mashed potatoes with a
serving of gravy. 1 slice of
sweet potato pie. 2 beers
Day 2
Skips breakfast
Lunch: Fried wings(6piece)
Side of green beans, 3
biscuits, 1 8oz sweet iced tea
2 cookies
Dinner: 2cups collard greens,
2 medium sweet potatoes, 1
cup potato salad 6oz fried
catfish
2 beers
Day 3
Breakfast: 3 eggs, cup of grits
with cheese, 2 sausage links,
6oz ham.
Lunch: 8oz sweet iced tea
Barbecue pork sandwich
Bag of chips
Dinner: 2cups of red beans
and rice, 2cup mashed
potatoes, 6oz pork spared ribs.
2 beers


Pedro Guzman
Nutrition 510
Client Role
Session 1

The African American culture usually consists of the elders being respected because they are

considered the source of wisdom3. Asking for help is typically out of the question, and perceive

help as being unnecessary regardless if they are in a high stressed environment. African

Americans value their space, and are less open to any physical contact. Since they highly value

their space they are usually very private with their information, and believe sharing information

with others as negative, so they normally tend to keep to themselves when meeting new people.

Although African Americans are prone to acquiring multiple diseases it may be difficult for them

to be treated due to either lack of resources, or due to not having adequate insurance capable of

offsetting the cost. 1/3 of African Americans typically live in poverty so acquiring health

insurance may be difficult since they don’t have the means to purchase it3. African Americans

usually have a family caregiver, and whether its pride or not, a certain trust must be built

between the caregiver and providers before they can start perceiving service providers as

beneficial. If ever in a stressful situation, they would most likely reach out to their community or

church groups to find a solution to their problems.

Soul food is the traditional African American cuisine, having roots originated from the deep

south4. Although this food is delicious, it is typically very high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar.

Soul food diet mainly consists of fried foods (chicken or fish), macaroni and cheese, greens

cooked with pork, and sweet potato pie. Other popular dishes or side dishes are: spicy barbecued

meats and poultry, sweet cornbread, chitterlings or “chitlins”, yams, and sweet iced tea as the


choice of beverage5. Cooking and preparing these meals place a plethora of time and effort to

ensure the quality of the food isn’t compromised. Soul food is a series of delicious prepared

meals that not only brings happiness but unity within the family.

Brief statement:

Since I am a successful and wealthy 55 year old man and haven’t sustained many illnesses, I

mainly have a nonchalant attitude towards my angina condition. Although my father died of

heart attack at 51 years of age, I have already outlived him and potentially see no immediate

danger. I will somewhat have an open attitude towards conversing with the RD, and I won’t be

too short with my answers but I won’t elaborate on them too much. Potentially if the RD

mentions that I may be taken away from my children at an early age if my conditions worsens,

then that may give me more to dwell on since I value my family. I may be more cooperative with

some questions over others, it honestly depends on how the RD presents them to me. If he

doesn’t make me feel comfortable speaking with him then I might gravitate towards one worded

answers.


References:

1. Blankston III, Carl L. Vietnamese Americans. Countries and their Cultures.

https://www.everyculture.com/multi/Sr-Z/Vietnamese-Americans.html. Accessed 25

February 2020.

2. Nguyen, G. D. (2015). Generational Conflicts among Vietnamese Americans in the

Health Care Decision Making Process. Online Journal of Health Ethics, 11(2).

http://dx.doi.org/10.18785/ojhe.1102.03.

3. Helpful Information About Different Cultures. Health Network Solutions.

https://www.healthnetworksolutions.net/index.php/understanding-different-

cultures#Vietnamese. Accessed 25 February 2020.

4. Moore, Marisa. Healthy Soul Food, Your Way. Kids Eat Right. 2018;

https://www.eatright.org/health/lifestyle/culture-and-traditions/healthy-soul-food-your-

way. Published 24 January 2018. Accessed 25 February 2020.

5. United States African Americans. Food in Every Country.

http://www.foodbycountry.com/Spain-to-Zimbabwe-Cumulative-Index/United-States-

African-Americans.html. Accessed 25 February 2020.