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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