Communication Strategies

• Use the proper forms of address for people from a given culture and the ways by which people welcome one another.
• Know when touch (e.g., embrace or handshake) is expected and when physical contact is prohibited.
• Be aware that gestures do not have universal meanings; what is acceptable to one culture may be taboo with another.
• Smiles may be indicative of friendliness to some, taboo to others.
• Eye contact may have different meanings among different groups; avoiding direct eye contact may be a sign of respect in one culture or sign of distrust in another.
• Prepare written patient education and information materials to reflect the language, beliefs, experiences and values of the target audience.
• Use interpreter services when language is an obstacle to care and bilingual staff is not available.
• Use the L-E-A-R-N model to improve communication in the clinical setting.
• Elicit health beliefs by asking the targeted questions.
• Use clinical encounter guidelines to improve cultural assessment and interactions.