Barrier to communication Discussion

Language or cultural barrier to communication: Interpretation is only a first and very incomplete step toward providing services to patients with limited English proficiency or divergent cultural backgrounds. Because beliefs, subjective feelings, and metaphorical descriptions of health and illness and are largely culturally determined, confusion can occur even with accurate literal interpretation during evaluation. For this reason, language or cultural differences between physicians and patients may result in diagnostic uncertainties which significantly affect care and outcome of treatment.

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