title: Some aspects of culturally competent communication in health care in the republic of macedonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the existing situation, barriers and consequences of the intercultural communication in health institutions and to offer training models for strengthening and improving communication skills of health professionals in the Republic of Macedonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the relationship between patients and health professionals. A total of 813 health professionals (302 physicians and 511 other medical staff) from different healthcare institutions, and 1016 patients participated in cross-sectional survey performed in autumn 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The research has showed that each third examined patient thought that his/her physician or the other medical personnel had no understanding for his/her emotions and gave no answer to all of his/her questions. From the other side, 60% of the physicians declare that they have a good communication with patients speaking other language than their mother tongue. Only 60% of physicians said that they know good the culture of their patient and 52% of the other medical staff said that they adjusted the treatment to the patient culture (religion, attitudes, language, life style).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are some gaps in current provision of health care practice in an aspect of effective interactions and communication skills of health professionals to meet patient needs in a multicultural and multilingual setting. A training model is proposed for strengthening communication skills of health professionals.
authors: Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Aziz
authors: A
authors: Pollozhani
authors: Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia ; Medical Faculty, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Kosevska
authors: University of Kliment Ohridski, Bitola, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Kostadin
authors: K
authors: Petkovski
authors: Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Shaban
authors: S
authors: Memeti
authors: Institute of Political and Intercultural Studies, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Blerim
authors: B
authors: Limani
authors: Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia ; Medical Faculty, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors: Blasko
authors: B
authors: Kasapinov
keywords: Communication; cultural competencies.; cultural sensitivity; culture; health management; health professionals; patient; physician