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Physician-Patient Communication in Ghana: Multilingualism, Interpreters, and Self-Disclosure

Acquah, Shirley A.

Abstract Details

2011, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Communication Studies (Communication).

In this dissertation, I explored the communicative relationship between illiterate patients and physicians at a health care facility in Ghana. Drawing on constructivist grounded theory methods, I provide a substantive explanation of issues pertaining to multilingualism, use of interpreters, and patient self-disclosure. A total of 11 patients and 25 physicians participated in this study. I gathered data through observations, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions.

Four major findings emerged from this study. First, results revealed that, although English is the lingua franca in Ghana, interactions in health care settings, especially with illiterate patients occur in indigenous dialects. Unfortunately, not all medical terminologies have indigenous dialect equivalents, and if they existed, participants did not know them, thus, creating comprehension difficulties during clinical interactions. Second, due to a huge linguistic diversity, language barriers are a common occurrence. Consequently, interpreters frequently help with clinical interactions. However, the non-existence of professional medical interpreting services, demand that patients and their physicians have to depend on relatives, friends, health workers, or ad hoc individuals whose inadequate translation skills are likely to compromise health outcomes. Third, patients are less likely to disclose pertinent health information due to the fear of reprimand from their physician, or lack of privacy in the consulting room. Fourth, the needs of patients, such as relational aspect of care, were unmet because physicians experienced frustrations with heavy patient case loads, time constraints, and patients' disengagement behaviors.

Implications from this study include the need to (1) review indigenous dialects, work to provide terminologies for health related topics, and make those available to patients and physicians, (2) identify indigenous dialects for which interpreters will be required, and establish a policy framework for the provision of professional medical interpreting services at health care facilities, (3) educate physicians on how to better dialogue and relate with their patients to ensure that patients feel comfortable disclosing various health information, (4) incorporate communication skills courses in medical school curricula, (5) encourage patients to ask questions or seek clarification during medical interactions, and (6) incorporate scheduled clinical appointments to ease physician work-load and enhance patient care.

Christina Beck, PhD (Advisor)
Benjamin Bates, PhD (Committee Member)
Devika Chawla, PhD (Committee Member)
Marina Peterson, PhD (Committee Member)
235 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Acquah, S. A. (2011). Physician-Patient Communication in Ghana: Multilingualism, Interpreters, and Self-Disclosure [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1305026002

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Acquah, Shirley. Physician-Patient Communication in Ghana: Multilingualism, Interpreters, and Self-Disclosure. 2011. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1305026002.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Acquah, Shirley. "Physician-Patient Communication in Ghana: Multilingualism, Interpreters, and Self-Disclosure." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1305026002

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)