title: Cross-cultural barriers to health care.
abstract: Culturally sensitive health care represents a real ethical and practical need in a Western healthcare system increasingly serving a multiethnic society. This review focuses on cross-cultural barriers to health care and incongruent aspects from a cultural perspective in the provision of health care. To overcome difficulties in culturally dissimilar interactions and eventually remove cross-cultural barriers to health care, a culturally sensitive physician considers his or her own identity, values, and beliefs; recognizes the similarities and differences among cultures; understands what those similarities and differences mean; and is able to bridge the differences to accomplish clear and effective communication.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Alex C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vidaeff
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kerrigan
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Manju
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monga
mesh_terms: D054521:Cultural Competency; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D065246:Culturally Competent Care / Q000592:standards*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations