SOCIL 8 Factors that Impact Hmong American Participation in Healthcare System

1. Factors that Impact Hmong-American
Participation in the Healthcare
System: A Qualitative Pilot Study
Pachia Vue
SOCIL 8 – Social Science Research Methods, Prof. Kirschner

2. Introduction
What is this study about?
• What factors impact Hmong American’s usage of the healthcare system?
What did I expect to find?
• I expected to find cultural differences and discriminatory experiences to
contribute to their usage.
Why is my topic important?
• It is valuable to provide a voice for the Hmong community and contribute
to making changes in the future such as better support and education.

3. Method: Qualitative Methods
For my research, I chose qualitative interviews. My goal was to focus on
in depth, unique interviews and to give a voice to the Hmong
community.
Qualitative interviewing came with limitations. There is a smaller
sample size, and less focus on probability therefore I can’t generalize.
Furthermore, data analysis is often time-consuming.

4. Non-Probability Sampling: Convenience
I collected my data by conducting semi-structured qualitative interviews.
For my pilot study I relied on a convenience sample of available subjects. This
method was the most feasible for the time allotted. My focus was on Hmong
American adults, and I interviewed one Hmong American woman.
My strategy for future data collection would be a combination of snowball
and purposive sampling: selecting younger, middle aged and older
participants then ask for referrals.

5. Ethical Considerations
Privacy Protections
My qualitative interviews were given confidentiality. I changed their
name and any identifying details to protect their identity. Additionally,
the recording was deleted after I transcribed the interview.
Informed Consent
I provided my subject with an informed consent form to sign prior to
the interview. They had full understanding of the research, their
voluntary participation, and the possible risks and benefits involved.

6. Procedure
I created a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended
questions. These questions were designed to determine the subject’s
integration in the Hmong community, experience in the healthcare
system, and experiences with discrimination.
Examples:
• How close do you feel with your culture?
• When you’re sick, who do you initially turn to?
• Have you ever felt like you were treated differently than someone of a
different race, color, or age?

7. Findings
“A lot of the Asian community, as far as my experience, don’t like to go
to hospitals because they’re afraid.” – Lisa, 41

8. Conclusions
Although I had limited data collection from the time allotted, I found
the interview with Lisa to have invaluable information. I will continue to
gather more data in order to find themes.
Prospective students should consider taking a research methods class. I
learned invaluable information and developed skills that I will use for
the rest of my life such as, a deeper understanding of the scientific
process and hands-on experience completing a pilot study.

9. Works Cited
Blackstone, Amy. (2012). Principles of Sociological Inquiry – Qualitative and
Quantitative Methods. Saylor Foundation.
Pager, D., & Shepherd, H. (2008). The Sociology of Discrimination: Racial
Discrimination in Employment, Housing, Credit, and Consumer Markets.
Annual review of sociology, 34, 181–209.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.33.040406.131740
Schulman, K. A., Berlin, J. A., Harless, W., Kerner, J. F., Sistrunk, S., Gersh, B. J.,
Dubé, R., Taleghani, C. K., Burke, J. E., Williams, S., Eisenberg, J. M., &
Escarce, J. J. (1999). The effect of race and sex on physicians'
recommendations for cardiac catheterization. The New England journal of
medicine, 340(8), 618–626. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199902253400806

10. Researcher Bio
Hello! My name is Pachia Vue. I am a
student from Yuba Community College and
Woodland Community College. I am
majoring in Sociology and will graduate May
2022. I plan to continue my studies at UC
Davis this fall. Since I have experience with
qualitative research, I would love to try out
quantitative research in the future!