Cultural diversity and stereotyping: implication for the medical practice
Durieux-Paillard, S.; Loutan, L.
Revue Medicale Suisse 1(34): 2208
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 16248260 Document Number: 587569
Increasing number of migrants worldwide brings doctors to treat patients of various origins. Patients' diversity enriches health professionals but also induces a risk of mutual incomprehension, due to cultural and language barriers. Multicultural context stimulates unwittingly stereotyping, based on a simplistic assessment of the patient's culture. Stereotyping is also influenced by the political and media coverage. Studies underscored that universally, minorities patients have an unequal access to health care in host countries. Health professionals should be aware that racial stereotyping exists in medical practice: it is a first step to bridge cultural gap between them and their patients.