The effect of educational intervention on intercultural communication: results of a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Due to worldwide migration to Western countries, physicians are increasingly encountering patients with different ethnic backgrounds. Communication problems can arise as a result of differences in cultural backgrounds and poor language proficiency. AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention on intercultural communication aimed to decrease inequalities in care provided between Western and non-Western patients. DESIGN OF STUDY: A randomised controlled trial with randomisation at the GP level and outcome measurements at the patient level. SETTING: General practic... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Harmsen, J.A.M. (Hans)
Meeuwesen, L.
Thomas, S. (Siep)
Dorrenboom, G.
Pinto, D. (Duane)
Bruijnzeels, M.A. (Marc)
Bernsen, R.M.D. (Roos)
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2005
Schlagwörter: *Communication / *Physician-Patient Relations / Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Cross-Cultural Comparison / Ethnic Groups / Family Practice/*standards / Female / Humans / Infant / Newborn / Male / Middle aged / Netherlands / Patient Satisfaction/*ethnology / Regression Analysis / Research Support / Non-U.S. Gov't
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-29198476
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : http://repub.eur.nl/pub/10386

BACKGROUND: Due to worldwide migration to Western countries, physicians are increasingly encountering patients with different ethnic backgrounds. Communication problems can arise as a result of differences in cultural backgrounds and poor language proficiency. AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention on intercultural communication aimed to decrease inequalities in care provided between Western and non-Western patients. DESIGN OF STUDY: A randomised controlled trial with randomisation at the GP level and outcome measurements at the patient level. SETTING: General practice in Rotterdam. METHOD: Thirty-eight Dutch GPs in the Rotterdam region, with at least 25% of inhabitants of non-Western origin, and 2407 visiting patients were invited to participate in the study. A total of 986 consultations were finally included. The GPs were educated about cultural differences and trained in intercultural communication. Patients received a videotaped instruction focusing on how to communicate with their GP in a direct way. The primary outcome measure was mutual understanding and the secondary outcomes were patient's satisfaction and perceived quality of care. The intervention effect was assessed for all patients together, for the 'Western' and 'non-Western' patients, and for patients with different cultural backgrounds separately. RESULTS: An intervention effect was seen 6 months after the intervention, as improvement in mutual understanding (and some improvement in perceived quality of care) in consultations with 'non-Western' patients. CONCLUSIONS: A double intervention on intercultural communication given to both physician and patient decreases the gap in quality of care between 'Western' and 'non-Western' patients.