Exploring the Role of Traditional Chinese Values in Shaping Health Beliefs and Decision-making Process

Abstract

Background: Traditional Chinese values are known to be embedded in the evolution of healthcare system and cause a cultural paradigm shift, impacting the medical decision-making process of individuals. The Chinese individuals are found to be largely influenced by their traditional and religious beliefs within the context of their health beliefs and medical decision-making. Aim: This study aimed to explore the role of traditional values among Chinese individuals in shaping health beliefs and decision-making. Method: For this study, a survey was conducted and a questionnaire was distributed among 2,600 Chinese residents in different rural as well as urban areas. The medical decision-making processes were categorized as collaborative decision-making and unilateral decision-making. "Binary logistic regression" analysis was implemented to determine the significant factors which might impact the associated medical decision-making frameworks.Results: The results obtained showed that 70% of the participants utilized collaborative decision- making while 30% of the participants incorporated unilateral decision-making. It was also observed that the participants with higher religious and traditional beliefs were more likely to incorporate unilateral decision- making process, while the individuals with higher education and occupational characteristics were likely to involve in collaborative medical decision-making process. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study shows that the religious and traditional beliefs of an individual also impact his/ her overall health beliefs as well as medical decision-making. The current study would be effective in providing important implications in order to improve the overall medical decision-making process of the individuals, influenced by religious beliefs.