A Shaman in the ER Ward

By Virginia Prescott on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.

Hospitals in the U.S. evolved following scientific principals and traditions of Western medicine. In our immigrant nation, those practices may conflict with a patient’s belief systems and notions of healing.

In traditional Hmong culture, it is believed that illness occurs when the soul wanders from the body. Shamans, like Kang Thao, help call the soul home. Hospitals in St. Paul, Minn., have served a large population of Hmong people from northern Laos since the 1970s. Over time, hospital administrators have learned to incorporate some Hmong practices into routine treatments by inviting spiritual healers inside patient wards.

This collaboration between Eastern and Western beliefs is part of a growing trend in hospitals to make concessions that can help them keep sick patients in medical care. Hospital administrators have turned off smoke detectors, cleared out surgical rooms, and extended visiting hours to accommodate Hmong healers.

Joining us to talk about this is Kathie Culhane-Pera, the associate medical director for West Side Community Health Services in St. Paul.

The New York Times: A Doctor for Disease, a Shaman for the Soul

(Photo courtesy UC Davis Health System)

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Very interesting. As a Hmong myself, I really don't see the need for this and it's probably due to the fact that I'm 27yrs old, grew up primarily in the U.S. Now I'm in med school and becoming a doctor, an ER physician. I grew up in both worlds; my family is somewhat traditional in which I do get exposure to these kinds of rituals. I know there will be those who are willing to seek Western medicine to aid with their illnesses, but what about those who just aren't willing? What's right and what's wrong? With increasing litigations, especially w/ ERs, where is the fine line between what we should do and what we need to do? Here's a scenario: if a patient comes in w/ a severe AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) and the family chooses to summon a Shaman, even though they are explained the time-sensitive nature of this ill-fated condition, what would you do? Also, if the results went either way, what would you do? I hope to hear from some community Hmong fellows as well as everyone else who may have comments/opinions/suggestions. Thank you for your time!

Submitted by NHPR Listener1234 on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 02:55.

I suppose this is no different than Hospitals having clergymen working there to comfort some.

Submitted by NHPR Listener1111 on Sun, 10/11/2009 - 14:36.

Well, why not both? I'm sure if you explain it in a way for them to understand, I don't see them turning away any kind of "medical" help.

Submitted by Mary Thao on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 22:16.

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Word of Mouth is all about what's new. Online and on-air, the show looks at our fascinating and ever-changing world, and puts the latest ideas under a microscope. Word of Mouth investigates everything from science and technology, to health and the environment, to new trends in popular culture. The show airs Monday through Thursday at noon and is hosted by Virginia Prescott.