The work of a medical interpreter is never done, with an enormous number of non-native English speakers seeking medical care. Since the U.S. federal government adopted the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards over two decades ago, the healthcare industry has never been better equipped to provide culturally competent services.
However, since then, the number of patients requiring a medical translator has increased, with an estimated 67.8 million people speaking a language other than English at home. Although medical translation may sound straightforward, it’s only half of what’s required.
Cultural competency is the ability for healthcare professionals to understand cultural cues, including beliefs, language preferences, communication styles, and values. Without cultural competency, medical translation services can only be so effective.
So, what is the role of cross-cultural communication in healthcare, and how does it enable the industry to bridge the cultural gap?
Understanding Cultural Influences on Communication
The role of the healthcare interpreter has grown in importance as the U.S. becomes more diverse and healthcare providers are forced to adapt. Unfortunately, nearly 40% of hospitals still don’t offer healthcare translation services, and a vast number of those that do don’t factor in cultural influences on communication.
Communication isn’t just the words we use. It’s a full-body exercise, and not accounting for it results in problems like:
- Misdiagnoses
- Incorrect treatments
- Care plan non-compliance
- Delayed follow-up care
- Legal liability
Above all, medical interpretation services with proper cultural sensitivity dramatically improve patient outcomes. To be effective, healthcare cultural awareness must address the four pillars of how cultural influences impact communication.
Nonverbal Communication
Non-verbal communication encompasses what isn’t said, such as body language, facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact. However, how these are interpreted differs across cultures.
For example, making eye contact in Western culture is seen as honest and engaged. In contrast, many Asian cultures consider direct eye contact confrontational or disrespectful. Likewise, personal space in Latin America involves closer physical proximity than in Western cultures.
Medical interpreters must understand that even something as simple as a thumbs-up can mean something very different in another culture, which could be confusing or outright offensive.
Communication Styles
Communicating in different styles is the key to successful cultural competency as a medical interpreter.
In the U.S., we naturally value clarity where the words said are precisely what they mean, but direct communication styles don’t apply to every culture. In China and many Arab cultures, context, politeness, and passive language reign supreme.
A communication style may also be high-context or low-context. Again, places like the U.S. are low-context nations in that the words said are what the words mean, whereas high-context cultures, like those of Mexico and China, rely more on shared understanding and non-verbal signals that don’t exist in how we communicate.
Something as simple as a medical interpreter getting this wrong can quickly result in a misinterpretation in diagnostics and treatment plans.
Health Beliefs and Practices
It may surprise you to learn that how we view illness and health is heavily shaped by the cultural and spiritual beliefs of our mother cultures. After all, it’s not a coincidence that traditional Chinese medicine is heavily used in Asia but is largely dismissed in Europe.
Certain medical issues may also be viewed differently between cultures. For example, mental health issues are still heavily stigmatized in many parts of the world. A culturally competent medical translator must also be able to recognize when symptoms are minimized or underplayed and work around that.
Acknowledging these cultural frameworks is essential for building trust between patient and provider, rather than attempting to impose a specific healthcare model and philosophy as the default option.
Family Dynamics and Decision-Making
Finally, medical interpretation and cultural sensitivity must look beyond words to the entire ecosystem of how medical decisions are made. In many cultures, like the Middle East, medical issues are often determined by consensus and follow strict hierarchies.
For example, a young person seeking treatment in many Asian and Hispanic communities may only acquiesce to treatment after consultation with their parents, rather than making their own decisions.
Acknowledging these hierarchies is critical for supporting the decision-making process and navigating multiple stakeholders to do what’s ultimately best for the patient.
Best Practices for Culturally Competent Medical Interpretation
Implementing culturally competent medical interpretation services won’t look the same for every healthcare organization. It all depends on your patient demographics, where you fit within the healthcare ecosystem, and, of course, the needs of your patients. This is what defines equity in healthcare.
However, certain best practices form the spine of any successful cultural competency mandate within medical translation and interpretation, including:
- Interpreter Training and Qualifications – Ensure that interpreters are properly trained and qualified in cultural competency training. At Geneva Worldwide, we deploy rigorous vetting to ensure our interpreters display not just competency but mastery.
- Pre–Interpretation Preparation – Before all sessions, supply key details to interpreters, such as language preferences, cultural background, and communication needs.
- Deploy Bespoke Strategies – Be present to clarify terminology that might not have a cultural equivalent while taking the time to recognize and acknowledge nonverbal cues.
- Approaching Sensitive Topics – Mental illness, reproductive health, and terminal diagnoses must be negotiated with tact. Incorporate cultural beliefs within disclosure and respond accordingly.
- Post–Interpretation Aftercare – Don’t assume that the end of a meeting is the end of your role as a medical interpreter. Confirm that the patient understands and ensure that aftercare materials are appropriate to their culture and language.
Finally, ensure that you track the impact of your medical interpretation cultural sensitivity program. Solicit patient feedback and be proactive in making changes to better suit the needs of the people you serve.
Make Healthcare Equitable With Culturally Competent Medical Interpretation Services
Cultural competency within medical interpretation services is key to ensuring equitable healthcare for all. Through addressing the four key elements of communication and implementing best practices, your healthcare facility is best positioned for better care outcomes.
But it all goes back to having reliable, qualified, and experienced interpreters on your side. At Geneva Worldwide, we provide expert interpreters operating in-person, over-the-phone, and in a range of other settings to ensure you’re equipped to provide world-class healthcare regardless of cultural background.
To learn more about creating an inclusive, accessible healthcare environment, contact us today.
