South Med J. 2015 Jan;108(1):1-4. doi: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000221.

Cross-cultural barriers to health care.

Vidaeff AC1, Kerrigan AJ1, Monga M1.

Author information

• 1From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Abstract

Culturally sensitive health care represents a real ethical and practical need in a Western healthcare system increasingly serving a multiethnic society. This review focuses on cross-cultural barriers to health care and incongruent aspects from a cultural perspective in the provision of health care. To overcome difficulties in culturally dissimilar interactions and eventually remove cross-cultural barriers to health care, a culturally sensitive physician considers his or her own identity, values, and beliefs; recognizes the similarities and differences among cultures; understands what those similarities and differences mean; and is able to bridge the differences to accomplish clear and effective communication.