Thus health care providers might avoid asking questions that are not germane to the problem at hand - especially in early stages of the relationship. Except when vital, personal questions are best deferred until there is a working relationship. When a personal question is necessary, it might be prefaced with assurance that the question and answer are not for public discussion. I will not talk about this with anyone else. Respect also includes explaining procedures and medicines to patients.
Traditional medicines are mixed, dosed, and prepared according to individual patient needs.
That same model may be expected of Western medicines. It is thus a good idea to explain medications and dosing on an individual basis. The patient may not read the information, but he or she will find someone in the community who will read and explain what is written. Some Laotians value the relating of symptoms more than the health history. Explaining links between questions or problems will help in eliciting information.