| Ethnic minority groups | Patient perception | Language | Some examples of patient definitions of emergency | Some examples of emergency medical service challenge areas |
| African American | “Religion is an important part of the community” | English, monolingual | “Injury or situation that needs immediate professional help” | “EMS workers should listen to each of us to learn more about our culture” | Lao, Khmu, Mien | “Religion is a community of culture” | Laotian, monolingual | “Bleeding, fainting, broken bones, body aches, heart attack and stroke” | “1st generations use herbs when sick instead of drugs” “2nd/3rd generations use traditional practices only after attempting western medical practices” | Hispanic | “Important to community” | Spanish, monolingual | “Heart attack, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, bleeding, intense pain, self-care incompetence” | “Cultural healers treat ailments with teas and herbs for different ailments, praying to virgin Mary and saints for healing” | Russian | “Food, tradition, funeral arrangements are important parts of culture” | Russian, monolingual | “Falls, stroke, heart attack, breathing difficulties, kidney stones, high blood pressure, migraine headaches” | “The use of warm pads and heating ointments instead of ice.” “When sick, we prefer room temperature water and no ice/cold water” | Vietnamese | “Religion & Ancestor worship is important” | Vietnamese, monolingual | “Life or death, health issues, breathing difficulties, sudden sickness” | “Scratch of wind practice, skin slicing, poking to release blood, herbal alcohol, steaming and Praying to the Spirit.” |
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