Clinical Communication Across Linguistic and Cultural Boundaries

Nabi Fatahi

doi:10.15344/2456-3498/2018/143

Abstract

Due to conflicts and natural disasters every day, thousands of people are leaving their own countries and moving to resettle in another part of the world. This leads, amongst other things, to cross-lingual and cross-cultural clinical encounters. In this context, mutual understanding between patients and healthcare professional is vital for the patients' safety and health outcome. A literature review and previous research showed that satisfactory clinical communication is essential to achieve adequate health outcomes. A prerequisite for mutual understanding between patients with a language barrier and healthcare professionalis a strong language bridge. The interpreter is the third person who facilitates this contact, and in order to avoid misunderstandings a competent professional interpreter is essential.

Highlights

Due to the importance of communication in planning healthcare services as well as in diagnosis and treatment procedures, mutual understanding is crucial in clinical encounters, in cases with a language barrier [1]
The growing number of immigrant patients as a result of wars, natural disasters and hunger in many parts of the world poses a challenge to healthcare staff
Since mutual understanding is a prerequisite to an adequate health outcome, in communication with patients with a different language and cultural background satisfactory interpretation is crucial

Summary

Introduction

Due to the importance of communication in planning healthcare services as well as in diagnosis and treatment procedures, mutual understanding is crucial in clinical encounters, in cases with a language barrier [1]. Regardless of their cultural and linguistic background, all patients are entitled to use an understandable language in contact with their healthcare provider. Knowledge of the patient's language and cultural background leads to better understanding of the patient's problems, and better communication outcomes [4,5]. When there is a language barrier in communication between patients and healthcare providers, a third person (interpreter) is included to facilitate consultation. A study by Krupic et al showed that the lack of time constitutes an important barrier to effective contact and the quality of interpretation [13]

Discussion

Conclusion