This dissertation addresses the view of general practitioners working in Luxembourg on possible language and culture barriers in their consultations. Furthermore the thesis deals with the doctors’ perceptions of doctor-patient-communication in general, including further possible influencing factors (e.g., further doctor and patient factors or professional context). In addition the thesis focuses on the general practitioners’ ideas on intercultural competence, i.e. “the competence to act successfully in an intercultural encounter.” (Thomas & Simon, 2007, S. 136). The theoretical part of the thesis initially deals with the characteristics of the Luxembourg medical setting. Subsequently we present models concerning interpersonal communication and doctor-patient-communication in which the Communication Accommodation Theory (Giles et al., 1991) and the Three levels of doctor-patient-communication (Jain & Krieger, 2011) are considered in detail. Moreover, we explain the essential elements of doctor-patient-communication according to the Kalamazoo Consensus Statement (Makoul, 2001) and the Factors influencing doctor-patient-communication by Mead and Bower (2000). Furthermore, we discuss recent research on intercultural doctor-patient-communication. Finally, general concepts concerning intercultural competence in general and specific intercultural competence in the medical setting are presented. Through a synthesis of those models, we developed an integrative heuristic model of intercultural competence including its requirements and components (intercultural knowledge and skills). The objectives of the empirical study conducted in line with the present thesis, lead to research on (1) how general practitioners in Luxembourg describe the communication with their patients, (2) the awareness of Luxembourg general practitioners of cultural and language factors which may affect doctor-patient-communication and (3) the ideas of general practitioners in Luxembourg on intercultural competence. The research questions were ...