Some Problems in Health Communication in a Multicultural Clinical Setting: A South African Experience

Because of their different perceptions and frames of reference regarding health care, it is unlikely that doctor and patient communicate with total accuracy. This situation is exacerbated if they do not share a sociocultural orientation, even though both doctor and patient apply specific strategies in attempts to overcome the barriers that prevent effective communication. This article deals with some problems that arise in a multicultural clinical setting involving a group of Xhosa-speaking patients and Western medical practitioners in South Africa, the source of the problems, and their implications for the communication process.