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Cross cultural communication.

Introduction
Canada has a long history of ethnic variety and immigration, with more than 200 distinct ethnic
groups and several Indigenous people being represented (Ladha et al., 2018). The language,
attitudes, ideas, and behaviors that make up a culture can have an impact on how families and
medical staff interact. Doctors must be aware of the values they bring to the doctor-patient
interaction as well as the potential influence that a patient's culture may have on the care they
get for their disease or condition. Verbal, gestural, and nonverbal communication between
people with different cultural origins is referred to as cross-cultural communication (Admin,
2014). According to the Ladha et al.,2018, Effective patient care requires effective
communication with patients and their families. This critical reflection examines the tools
available for working with families and children from various cultural origins and offers thoughts
on the topics addressed in the article.

Summary
The provision of healthcare requires effective cross-cultural communication. To providing high-
quality treatment, effective communication between patients and medical personnel is crucial.
(orb et al.,2001). The attitudes, values, and expectations of patients from various ethnic origins
may vary, and to deliver care that is sensitive to cultural differences, it is crucial for healthcare
professionals to be aware of these differences and to establish effective communication
strategies. The article highlights the importance of successful cross-cultural communication in
Canada's diverse population, which includes Indigenous, immigrants, and newcomers. Poor
cross-cultural communication in healthcare can lead to adverse patient consequences such as
incorrect diagnosis, frequent hospital admissions, and decreased treatment compliance.
Healthcare professionals must be aware of their own personal values and how a patient's
culture may affect how their illness or health is managed. Three patient vignettes are presented
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to show the difficulties in cross-cultural communication and the proper implementation of the
LEARN model. The LEARN model is offered as a useful framework for patient interactions. The
article offers helpful advice for conducting cross-cultural communication in healthcare settings
(Ladha et al., 2018). When working with patients and families from different cultural
backgrounds, the article gives useful guidance for healthcare professionals on how to improve
cross-cultural communication. It highlights how crucial it is to recognize and take into account
cultural variations in healthcare interactions in order to enhance patient outcomes. Using
qualified translators to get around language barriers is one of the article's key solutions.
Healthcare professionals are urged to become aware with the interpreter services available in
their region and to get in touch with the interpreter ahead of time to set expectations and
coordinate transportation (Ladha et al., 2018). The article advises healthcare professionals to
be aware of any prejudices and values they may bring to patient interactions. To ensure correct
translation and foster trust, it is important to utilize a qualified interpreter rather than a family
member. Healthcare professionals should evaluate the literacy skills of patients and family and
modify their usage of written materials accordingly. Additionally, they should develop a
personalized treatment plan that enlists the help of the patient's close relatives, extended family,
or other community members. Finally, students should pay close attention to nonverbal clues
and understand that a family's cultural norm may be a "high-context" communication style.
These solutions can improve the quality of care provided to patients and families from diverse
cultural backgrounds. (Ladha et al., 2018). According to the Ladha et al.,2018, The article
discusses a shift from previous methods, which often overlooked cultural differences and
focused on the medical model of care. It acknowledges that efficient healthcare requires a
collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals, with both sides striving for the best
possible health outcomes.

Analysis
The capacity for ethical and successful participation in cross-cultural settings in both personal
and professional contexts is known as cultural competence (Flaskerud, 2007). Since they
recognize the value of comprehending the cultural context of patients and families and adapting
communication and care accordingly, the solutions mentioned in the article are culturally
competent. For instance, the essay highlights the value of understanding nonverbal indicators
and nonverbal communication in order to overcome perceived power imbalances and foster
trust. This is especially important in societies like the Inuit and others where answering
questions using nonverbal signs is possible. The work also underlines the necessity to
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understand cultural variety among cultural groupings and to refrain from making generalizations
about other cultures. The article urges healthcare professionals to attempt to comprehend each
unique patient's ideas and values rather than presuming that people from a certain cultural
background will have those same thoughts and values. Cross-cultural communication and
cultural competence are concepts that are closely related. In order to effectively interact with
people from different cultural origins, one must possess a specific set of knowledge, attitudes,
and abilities known as cultural competency. This includes being aware of culture norms, values,
and behaviors as well as having the flexibility to work within various cultural situations
(Rasmussen, 2021). The article also underlines the significance of include family and
community members in medical decision-making. This strategy encourages patient and family
empowerment and aids in ensuring that the care given is suitable and culturally responsive.
Therefore the author has successfully addressed cultural competence.

Reflection
According to my point of view, the essay offers practical tips for enhancing intercultural
communication in healthcare. It highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing cultural
differences in communication styles, nonverbal clues, and decision-making. It also stresses the
importance of approaching each patient and family with respect, humility, and an open mind. I
think, encouraging collaboration and fostering trust can be done by posing open-ended
questions, actively listening, and confirming understanding. Additionally, increasing cultural
competence and being conscious of potential biases and stereotypes can help patients receive
better care overall. By looking for training courses, workshops, or opportunities for cultural
immersion, healthcare professionals can successfully learn and utilize these skills. From my
perspective, healthcare practitioners can use the Gibbs Reflective Cycle model to reflect on
their experiences and continuously develop their cross-cultural communication abilities.

Conclusion
In the conclusion, in order to improve patient outcomes, the article offers suggestions for
healthcare workers and stresses the significance of cross-cultural communication in the field.
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References

Admin. (2014). Cross Cultural Communication. Communication

Theory. https://www.communicationtheory.org/cross-cultural-communication/

Flaskerud, J. H. (2007). CULTURAL COMPETENCE: WHAT IS IT? Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 28(1),
121–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840600998154

Ladha, T., Zubairi, M., Hunter, A. G., Audcent, T., & Johnstone, J. (2018). Cross-cultural communication:
Tools for working with families and children. Paediatrics and Child Health, 23(1), 66–
69. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxx126

Orb, A., & Wynaden, D. (2001). Cross-cultural communication and healthcare practice. Australian Journal
of Holistic Nursing, The, 8(2).

Rasmussen, L. (2021). Cross-Cultural Competence: Engage People from any Culture. Global
Cognition. https://www.globalcognition.org/cross-cultural-competence/