Perceptions of the osteopathic profession in New York City’s Chinese Communities

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge of and barriers to osteopathic medicine in Chinese immigrant communities in New York City (NYC). DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was designed in which a culturally appropriate survey in Chinese and English versions was administered anonymously to measure immigrant perceptions and knowledge of osteopathic medicine. SETTING: Data collection occurred in the municipal delineations for the Chinatown neighbourhood within the New York, New York borough of Manhattan. PARTICIPANTS: Community members were selected using convenience sampling from high-density areas to participate. Information gathered from the survey included demographics, education level, healthcare habits and knowledge of the osteopathic profession. RESULTS: 120 surveys were conducted with 68 males and 52 females, with an average age=40. Respondents in the age range of 18–29 years, those with fluent English-language proficiency, and participants with graduate-level education status demonstrated a higher proportion of knowledge of osteopathic manipulative medicine and osteopathic physicians (doctors of osteopathic medicine) among the study variables. CONCLUSION: Compared with research on the general US population, a general lack of knowledge of osteopathic medicine exists within NYC’s Chinese immigrant community. Although this difference may be ascribed to linguistics and ethnosociological factors, greater outreach and education is needed in urban minority communities to make immigrants aware of all healthcare resources available during the current shortage of US primary care physicians.