title: Cross-cultural communication barriers in health care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate healthcare professionals' perceptions of caring for people from ethnic minorities with poor or no English language skills when accessing health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 34 healthcare professionals to identify their perception of barriers encountered by those with poor or no English language skills.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five main themes were identified in relation to barriers in accessing health care: language; low literacy; lack of understanding; attitudes, gender attitudes and health beliefs; and retention of information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is essential that all individuals are able to interact effectively with healthcare services. New and innovative approaches are necessary to meet the needs of people from ethnic minorities accessing health care.
authors: Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, Leicestershire. shena.taylor@gbops.com
authors: Shena Parthab
authors: SP
authors: Taylor
authors: Colette
authors: C
authors: Nicolle
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Maguire
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged