Korean Physicians’ Cultural Competence from International Visitors’ Perspectives

Abstract

Purpose - This research aims to investigate the causal relationship among international visitors’ perceptions of Korean physicians’ cultural competence, doctor-patient communication, and patients’ satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach - Self-administrated data obtained from international patients were used for further analysis after the data screening. Frequency analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were performed to analyze the data. Findings - The result showed that international visitors’ perceptions of Korean doctors’ cultural competence partially and positively affected doctor-patient centered communication and patient satisfaction. Korean physicians cultural awareness perceived by the foreign patients had a positive effect on doctor-patient centered communication and perceived cultural skill positively influenced patient satisfaction. Research implications or Originality - To provide excellent quality of healthcare service based on the cultural difference with international patients in Korea, Korean physicians should take more parts in cultural competence programmes to understand diverse cultural and ethnical backgrounds of international patients and have the skills to approach a patient-centered communication.