In the video, you saw how the physician phrased his questions to elicit a cultural understanding of the patient's illness using the ETHNIC categories. Here are some useful questions that you can ask for each of the ETHNIC categories.

E: Explanation
What do you think may be the reason you have these symptoms? What do friends, family, or others say about these symptoms? Do you know anyone else who has had or who has this kind of problem? Have you heard about/read/seen it on TV/radio/newspaper? (If patient cannot offer explanation, ask him/her what most concerns him/her about the problem.)

T: Treatment
What kinds of medicines, home remedies, or other treatments have you tried for this illness? Is there anything you eat, drink, or do (or avoid) on a regular basis to stay healthy? Tell me about it. What kind of treatment are you seeking from me?

H: Healers
Have you sought any advice from alternative/traditional or folk healers, friends, or other people (non-doctors) for help with your problems? Tell me about it.

N: Negotiate
Negotiate options that will be mutually acceptable to you and your patient and that do not contradict, but rather incorporate, your patient's beliefs.

I: Intervention
Determine an intervention with your patient. This may include incorporation of alternative treatments, spirituality, and healers, as well as other cultural practices (e.g., foods eaten or avoided both in general and when sick).

C: Collaboration
Collaborate with the patient, family members, other health care team members, healers, and community resources.

(Levin et. al. 2000)

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