Ways of Communicating With Diverse Patients

Introduction

Due to the global integration of the economy, and the increasing migration of labor resources, intercultural interaction begins to prevail. When cross-cultural interaction between a medical worker and patients belonging to different nationalities, it is necessary to consider the peculiarities of the national character, the national specific features of thinking, and mentality. Knowledge of religion’s culture, traditions, and peculiarities will help the medical worker provide highly qualified medical care, avoiding unnecessary problems when communicating between the medical worker and the patient.

Main body

Working with people of different cultures, nationalities, and values is very important for a doctor and nurses. In the case of a misunderstanding between the doctor or nurse and the patient, for example, due to a language barrier, there may be problems with the patient’s treatment and recovery process. Brooks et al. (2018) state that family members may feel helpless about their role in providing care for the patient due to differences in culture and nationality between the doctor and medical staff. The doctor and nurses need to be familiar with different cultures and ethnicities to provide the patient with proper care and help in recovery.

In addition, there is a transcultural assessment model by Giger and Davidhizars. The theory is simple, and its application can have a beneficial effect on the communication of the patient and the medical staff. It includes six dimensions: space, communication, time, environmental control, social organizations, and biological variation. Brown et al. (2016) believe that doctors and nurses need to be aware of their values, beliefs, and cultural characteristics to be more receptive to the same in patients. This approach is correct and will allow the medical staff to know more about the cultural values of patients of different nationalities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, each culture and nationality includes traditions, customs, attitudes to the surrounding world, faith, particular medical technologies, treatment methods, and the relationship between the patient and the medical staff. Knowledge of the characteristics of different cultures, religions, and behavioral patterns of patients allows medical professionals to develop the most effective treatment plan for patients, which is necessary to establish a trusting relationship with the patient.

References

Brown, E.A., Bekker, H.L., Davidson, S.N., Koffman, J., & Schell, J.O. (2016). Supportive care: Communication strategies to improve cultural competence in shared decision making. Moving Points in Nephrology, 11, 1902-1908. Web.

Brooks, L.A., Manias, E., & Bloomer, M.J. (2018). Culturally sensitive communication in healthcare: A concept analysis. Collegian, 26, 383-391. Web.