Skip to main content

Immigrant and refugee health: cross-cultural communication.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Rew, KT; Clarke, SL; Gossa, W; Savin, D
Published in: FP Essent
August 2014

Physicians in the United States increasingly care for culturally, linguistically, and educationally diverse immigrants with limited English proficiency. Language barriers contribute significantly to the health disparities experienced by patients with limited English proficiency. Qualified professional interpreters should be used instead of ad hoc interpreters, such as a patient's friend or family member, an untrained bilingual staff member, or a bilingual stranger. Children should not be used as interpreters. Physicians and other health care professionals must be fluent to communicate with patients in another language. Use of electronic translation systems should be avoided. Cultural competence refers to the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to work well in cross-cultural situations and effectively provide care to diverse populations. Stereotypes are perpetuated when members of a group are assumed to share cultural values, beliefs, or attitudes. Attempting to memorize a list of what to do and what to avoid when working with any particular group is ineffective. Every patient's culture is multidimensional and dynamic and is not defined by race or language group.

Duke Scholars

Published In

FP Essent

ISSN

2159-3000

Publication Date

August 2014

Volume

423

Start / End Page

30 / 39

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Translating
  • Refugees
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Humans
  • Family Practice
  • Emigrants and Immigrants
  • Cultural Competency
  • Communication Barriers
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Rew, K. T., Clarke, S. L., Gossa, W., & Savin, D. (2014). Immigrant and refugee health: cross-cultural communication. FP Essent, 423, 30–39.
Rew, Karl T., S Lindsey Clarke, Weyinshet Gossa, and Daniel Savin. “Immigrant and refugee health: cross-cultural communication.FP Essent 423 (August 2014): 30–39.
Rew KT, Clarke SL, Gossa W, Savin D. Immigrant and refugee health: cross-cultural communication. FP Essent. 2014 Aug;423:30–9.
Rew, Karl T., et al. “Immigrant and refugee health: cross-cultural communication.FP Essent, vol. 423, Aug. 2014, pp. 30–39.
Rew KT, Clarke SL, Gossa W, Savin D. Immigrant and refugee health: cross-cultural communication. FP Essent. 2014 Aug;423:30–39.

Published In

FP Essent

ISSN

2159-3000

Publication Date

August 2014

Volume

423

Start / End Page

30 / 39

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Translating
  • Refugees
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Humans
  • Family Practice
  • Emigrants and Immigrants
  • Cultural Competency
  • Communication Barriers