Analyzing the Role of Language and Religion in Culturally Competent Healthcare: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Abstract

Cultural competence in healthcare refers to the ability of providers and organizations to effectively deliver healthcare services that meet the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients. The current interdisciplinary approach aims to elucidate the critical roles of language and religion in healthcare, focusing on their impact on communication, patient satisfaction, health literacy, and cultural competence in healthcare delivery. Through meticulous analysis of academic databases, health organization reports, and religious institution publications, this literature review consolidates findings from few peer-reviewed articles published in English. Findings reveal that effective healthcare communication is significantly hampered by language barriers, leading to risks of misdiagnoses, improper treatments, and diminished patient satisfaction. The review highlights the indispensable roles of language and religious competence in healthcare, advocating for their integration into healthcare practice, education, and policy to enhance the quality and cultural competence of healthcare delivery for diverse patient populations. Future research should continue to explore and expand on these findings, contributing to the development of practical strategies and theoretical frameworks supporting culturally competent healthcare.