Linguistic Barriers in Communication between Doctors and Patients: An Analysis

Abstract

Effective communication between doctors and patients is important for providing quality healthcare. However, linguistic barriers can significantly affect doctor-patient communication leading to misunderstandings and misdiagnoses. This research paper presents a comprehensive review of the linguistic barriers encountered in doctor-patient communication, especially in Pashtoon society and the factors responsible for these linguistic barriers. For this purpose, a basic quantitative study was conducted at Mardan Medical Complex (MMC) hospital, KPK, Pakistan. Data was collected through questionnaires. Statistical analysis was done by putting the collected data into SPSS software. Through study, different findings were identified presenting different causes of linguistic barriers in communication between doctors and patients: namely different first languages of doctors and patients, different cultural backgrounds, Illiteracy of patients, opposite gender, and fear of patients, etc. It is also recommended that culturally sensitive programs should be incorporated into the medical education system to increase healthcare providers' understanding of Pashtoon society.