Preserving the cultural well-being of any individual or group promotes compliance with testing and easier recovery from routine as well as more invasive and complex procedures. Sensitive questioning and observation may provide information about certain cultural traditions, concerns, and practices related to health. For example, the Hmong people believe the soul resides in the head and that no one should touch an adult’s head without permission. Patting a Hmong child on the head may violate this belief. Healthcare personnel should make an effort to understand the cultural differences of populations they serve without passing judgment. Most people of other cultures are willing to share this information if they feel it will be respected. Sometimes, a translator is necessary for accurate communication.

Many cultures have diverse beliefs about diagnostic testing that requires blood sampling. For example, alarm about having blood specimens drawn or concerns regarding the disposal of body fluids or tissue may require healthcare providers to demonstrate the utmost patience, sensitivity, and tact when communicating information about blood tests. Using ethnographic interviewing helps to access meaningful patient cultural values, increases patient and family acceptance of diagnostic care, and shows respect for the social aspects of the diagnosis.