Thoughts on Serving Asian Americans: Dr. Peter Young

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Peter Young (see photo), an internal medicine physician who practices in north Phoenix. Dr. Young, who speaks Mandarin and Cantonese, has been practicing in the Phoenix area for 12 years now. Through word of mouth, his practice has gone from almost no Asian American patients to about 30% Asian. He has even had office signage (see photo) translated into Chinese.

In working with Asian community members, particularly foreign-born Asians, he stresses the importance of patience. He spends more time in explaining Western medicine and in listening to his Asian patients. Sometimes, he says, it takes several visits to develop a rapport with these patients.

He says that Asian patients expect him to know about traditional Chinese medicine (even though he went to medical school in the United States). He will ask them to bring any traditional medications they are currently taking. Some are resistant to blood testing and taking Western medications, but he says that taking the extra time to explain the need for tests and medicine assists.

Because of the increased risk for hepatitis B among Asian Americans, Dr. Young will screen for hepatitis B. He has had several patients with advanced liver cancer due to hepatitis B infection and laments the fact that some wait until they have symptoms (e.g., weight loss and bloating) until they seek care, which is often too late for successful intervention.

I want to thank Dr. Young for his time and thoughtful perspective on serving Asian Americans.

Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director