“Don’t let me be misunderstood”: communication with patients from a different cultural background

Abstract

In recent years, migration and the social changes associated with it have increasingly become the focus of scientific interest. The diversity of cultures in hospitals poses a major challenge. Medical teams are often confronted with language barriers and different concepts of illness, health, and healing. The field is wide, and in addition to foreign language skills, primarily human skills such as self-awareness, communication, and empathy are demanded. Religion also plays a role in medical care for patients with a foreign cultural background. This work is intended to provide an overview of the scientifically based necessary skills in dealing with this patient clientele and to give an insight into the personal experiences of the authors. After many years of dealing with intercultural care of patients, this experience has shown one thing above all: Sometimes, it is beyond language and just needs humanity.