Addressing the Challenges of Cross-Cultural Communication

In conclusion, there are many challenges when addressing cross-cultural communication. Although there is work involved, addressing these challenges with the strategies outlined is important in decreasing health inequities and improving the health and wellness of our patients. Every person in health care must begin by working on themselves through reflection, intentional practice, and addressing any gaps such as biases. Using the cultural humility framework and working on the unconscious bias are 2 strategies to address such challenges. Additionally, being intentional and mindful of language and important cultural aspects of language helps to appreciate culture and communication as valuable patient attributes. Making efforts at the individual, institutional, and system levels to address cross-cultural communication is essential to creating a more just and equitable health care system.