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. 1986 Feb;32:383-385, 387, 389.

The Effects of Cultural Differences on the Physician-Patient Relationship

Katharina Manassis
PMCID: PMC2328087  PMID: 21267272

Abstract

Differences between patients' and physicians' perceptions of illness can result in poor communication and unsatisfactory treatment results. These differences are more likely when the patient's cultural background is different from the physician's. This article provides a case history of a cultural conflict between a patient, the patient's family, and the medical care system. The beliefs and practices of people unfamiliar with the North American health care system are discussed, and physicians' assumptions about how patients should behave are explored. Ways of preventing cultural conflict with patients are suggested.

Keywords: Doctor-patient relationship, ethnic groups, health care delivery

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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