Communication topics:
Cross-cultural communication

Purpose of tool:
Understand that patients and health care professionals often have different perspectives, values, and beliefs about health and illness that can lead to conflict, especially when communication is limited by language and cultural barriers.
• Become familiar with the types of issues and challenges that are particularly important in caring for patients of different cultural backgrounds.
• Think about each patient as an individual, with many different social, cultural, and personal influences, rather than using general stereotypes about cultural groups.
• Understand how discrimination and mistrust affect patients’ interaction with physicians and the health care system.
• Develop a greater sense of curiosity, empathy, and respect towards patients who are culturally different, and thus be encouraged to develop better communication and negotiation skills through ongoing instruction.
A8, A15

Brief description:
This facilitator guide uses four different videos and stories of cross cultural medical encounters to prompt discussion, role play and learn basic important attitudes and skills of cross cultural sensitivity and communication. Can be used in various forms and ways.