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Strategies for Cross-Cultural Physician-Patient Communication: A Case of International Patients in a Cultural Competency Laboratory

Zheng, Yan
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1373634504

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Communication and Development Studies (International Studies).
Healthcare for international populations in the U.S. has been challenged by cultural differences that arise during physician-patient communication. Numerous studies have assessed cultural competence training from physicians/health learners' perspectives, but patients' perceptions are underrepresented. This study bridges that gap by foregrounding international patients' perspectives during a cultural competence training program, examining how cultural differences affect physician-patient communication, and proposing communication strategies that can benefit physicians/health learners and enhance the well-being of international patients. A three-phase case study that included focus group discussions, composite ranking, and in-depth interviews, was conducted focusing on a cultural competency laboratory, which took place at Ohio University in December 2012. Thirteen patients from eleven different countries participated in this study. The results indicate that participants perceived significant cultural differences during their lab experiences, involving healthcare systems, health beliefs/concepts, healthcare seeking behaviors, and physician-patient communication. Among the twenty-eight factors in physician-patient communication that were raised by participants, active listening, explicit cross-cultural awareness, and expressive empathy were deemed to facilitate physician-patient communication. In contrast, the interaction was significantly compromised when student-physicians ignored participants' cultural perspectives, showed confusion/uncertainty about the medical issues that participants discussed, or didactically attempted to convince participants of certain American health beliefs or solutions. After attending the lab, all participants indicated an increased awareness of U.S. healthcare and the health issues discussed in the lab scenario. They also suggested that international patients get prepared before visiting U.S. physicians. This study provides suggestions for both physicians/health learners and international patients and recommends that more U.S. universities and communities provide programs that train international patients in their quest for optimal healthcare.
Jenny Nelson (Committee Chair)
Drew McDaniel (Committee Member)
Judith Rhue (Committee Member)
70 p.
Communication; Health Care
physician-patient communication; cultural competence training; cross-cultural communication; international patients

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zheng, Y. (2013). Strategies for Cross-Cultural Physician-Patient Communication: A Case of International Patients in a Cultural Competency Laboratory [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1373634504

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zheng, Yan. Strategies for Cross-Cultural Physician-Patient Communication: A Case of International Patients in a Cultural Competency Laboratory. 2013. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1373634504.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zheng, Yan. "Strategies for Cross-Cultural Physician-Patient Communication: A Case of International Patients in a Cultural Competency Laboratory." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1373634504

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1373634504
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.