Cross-Cultural Medical Care

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, in clinics and emergency rooms across the country, the beliefs and practices of other cultures are on a collision course with Western medicine, which frustrates caregivers, who should use diplomacy to better handle these situations and to educate their patients. The author suggests that caregivers investigate their patient's' racial, cultural, economic and linguistic background by asking such questions as: "Was it difficult for you to adjust to the United States?" and "How do people in your culture go about solving problems such as yours?" The paper summarizes that accessibility to public health, awareness of cultural differences and the ability to effectively communicate will keep America's tapestry of diverse cultures healthy.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Public Health Accessibility
Cultural Assessment
Communication and Interpreters

From the Paper:

"Whenever patients feel limited in using the English language, it comforts them to use their mother tongue. They tend to feel less inhibited in expressing themselves. Speaking their native language also helps them to get in touch with their emotions. That is why doctors and nurses frequently will ask for translation assistance if they do not speak a patient's language. A medical professional can also carefully observe body language and non-verbal cues to get a sense of the patient's condition.In obtaining translation assistance, one should employ a health care coworker or interpreter to translate, rather than use a family member or children."

More papers on Cross-Cultural Medical Care:

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• Analytical Essay # 129999 : "Curtin's "Cross-Cultural Trade in World History"
• Analytical Essay # 4635 : "Cross-Cultural Politeness Analysis with Brown and Levinson Model"

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