Cultural Competency in Healthcare Flashcards

How should an interpreter handle cultural beliefs conflicting with medical treatment?

Answer: Accurately interpret both perspectives without taking sides

The interpreter must remain impartial, facilitating understanding between both parties.

What are 'explanatory models of illness' in medical interpreting?

Answer: How patients from different cultures understand cause, nature, and treatment of illness

Explanatory models describe how individuals understand their health through cultural frameworks that may differ from biomedicine.

A male interpreter is assigned to a female patient from a conservative culture for a gynecological exam. What is appropriate?

Answer: Inform the coordinator about the cultural concern and request a female interpreter if available

Proactively communicate the potential concern to allow appropriate accommodations.

What role does 'power distance' play in medical interpreting?

Answer: How cultures differ in acceptance of authority, affecting patient-provider communication

Power distance affects how patients communicate with providers and whether they feel empowered to ask questions.

How does 'somatization' relate to cultural competency in interpreting?

Answer: Expression of psychological distress through physical symptoms, varying across cultures

Somatization is expressing mental distress as physical symptoms, manifesting differently across cultures.

When a patient uses 'folk illness' terms not recognized by Western medicine, what should the interpreter do?

Answer: Interpret the term as stated and provide a brief cultural explanation

Preserve the patient's terminology and provide a brief cultural explanation for the provider.