Cultural Barriers In Health Care

The realities of today's healthcare environment require solutions that are practical and effective. Low health literacy, cultural barriers, and limited English proficiency have been coined the "triple threat" to effective health communication by The Joint Commission (Schyve, 2007). Forms of communication are important in everyday life but can be crucial in regards to health care. In communication the health care team must first understand where that patient is from to what and how they can address the situation to start the process. This is called cultural awareness. The health team members must be careful. They can use verbal, nonverbal and visual cues to help educate the patient. Knowing she is upset at this point the best practice is to start off calm and call the translator. In the hospital setting do not use family or friends whenever possible due to them not possibly translating the correct medical information. In the English language some foreigners find it harder to read the English language so drawing pictures could help if appropriate. Visual tactics could also help like demonstrating a wound care or transfer. Becoming a Skilled Communicator has five factors that include: becoming aware of self-deception, and becoming reflective, authentic, mindful, and
Negativity has a way of showing its ugly face without even saying a single word. The negative outcomes of an unhealthy work environment affect patient safety as well. If a person is in a negative mood due to the care; they may portray that in their actions of not wanting to listen to instruction, not wanting to perform what is needed for discharge or show impatience of wanting to leave. If the mood is positive from the staff there is a better chance of patients following through or at least listening and attempting what is needed. Also the staff would want to be there, do extras, care about everything around them and give better