Cross-Cultural Health Perspectives (BHS414)

Cross-Cultural Health Perspectives
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When treating patients, doctors and other medical practitioners have to develop the art and skills required to communicate with their patients. This is more crucial especially where the patients are from different cultural backgrounds (Misra-Hebert & Isaacson, 2012). In most cases, there are subtle differences that occur between different cultures with reference to the cultural beliefs, medical remedies and methods of treating the sick. The Chinese and American cultures for example, are quite different and medical practitioners need to be aware of cross cultural differences that exist and have the skills to manage these differences for a better relation with the patient, and quality health care delivery.
In the second clip, the only aspect that can be depicted to have been well handled with reference to quality cross cultural communication skills is the introduction (Uniteforsight.org, 2014). As the female patient gets into the room, the medical practitioner welcomes the patient and offers him a seat. As they begin to converse the medical practitioner shows little or no signs of understanding the quality of cross cultural communication skills. In the first communication clip however, there are numerous signs of a well versed medical practitioner that understands the quality of cross cultural communication. At first, the male patient is welcomed and offered a seat, which is positive as a conversation starter.
As the patient explains about how he has been on Chinese medicine, the medical practitioner encourages the patient to explain further. This creates comfort in the patients as they are encouraged to self disclose about their previous medical treatment with the traditional medicine. The medical practitioner also demonstrates that they accept the patient’s view on the traditional remedies and the fact that they also work. In an effort to bring the patient to understand the benefi...