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Self-management Following a Cardiac Event in People of Chinese Ethnicity Living in Western Countries: A Scoping Review

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Abstract

Health outcomes and impact of cardiovascular disease vary between populations, where ethnic minorities and immigrant groups are more likely to be disadvantaged. Compared with the majority residents, health outcomes, especially short-term mortality from coronary heart disease event are worse in people of Chinese ethnicity, potentially due to poor self-management and experiences with the healthcare system in host countries. A scoping review was conducted. Four overarching themes were found: (1) understanding of heart disease, risk factors and symptom recognition, (2) adherence to medication and lifestyle modification, (3) health service/information choice, and (4) family role in disease self-management and decision making. All themes were greatly influenced by English language proficiency and cultural practices. English language proficiency and cultural practices should be taken into consideration when providing healthcare services for people of Chinese ethnicity, as it plays an important role in self-management and experiences with the healthcare system.

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Acknowledgements

The authors have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

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Correspondence to Ling Zhang.

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This study is not financed by any organisation. Author LZ has received APA scholarship and DD is funded by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (APP1072223).

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Zhang, L., Gallagher, R., Ding, D. et al. Self-management Following a Cardiac Event in People of Chinese Ethnicity Living in Western Countries: A Scoping Review. J Immigrant Minority Health 20, 744–754 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-017-0584-6

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