Culture may influence how we communicate and how we interpret others’ communication styles.
Key Principles:
- Be aware of the verbal, nonverbal, and written aspects of communication.
- Understand the relationship between communication and cultural identity.
- Adapt your communication to each patient, making an effort to understand communication preferences and cues from the patient’s perspective.
- Focus on relationships with patients.
Language barriers can hinder effective communication between HCPs and patients. It is crucial to have access to interpreters or translation services to ensure clear and accurate communication. Cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions should also be considered for better understanding.
Included in this section:
Cross-Cultural Communication Skills Checklist
Working Effectively with an Interpreter
Strategies for Listening and Learning
LEARN Model
“We are begging, literally searching, for resources to be in a space where people look like us, or at least just understand us.”
– Self-identifying Black female living with Crohn’s Disease
