Bridging the Cultural Gap in a Medical Practice: Use of Body Language

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The knowledge about non-verbal communication cues and the use of body language among individuals of various cultural orientations is critical in the health practice because clinicians and support staff who may be unaware of the cultural variations in communication may not only miss critical medical implications for a patient but can also unintentionally aggravate an often already fragile therapeutic relationship (Chen, 2009).

Studies have found that different cultures have distinct culturally-acceptable techniques for non-verbal communication, including the use of body language in terms of using gestures, glances, slight alterations of voice, and other supplementary communication techniques (O’Neil, 2009). In addition to reviewing three cultures and their use of body language, this paper also purposes to describe how a care provider in the medical practice could bridge the gap between American body language and other cultures’ use of body language.

In North America, individuals usually employ “…arms and hands to say good-bye, point, count, express excitement, beckon, warn away, threaten, insult etc” (O’Neil, 2009, para. 3). Slight movements of the head are used to gesture acknowledgement or decline something, and changes in facial characteristics are employed to smile, frown, and wink acknowledgement or flirtation. A combined movement of the head and shoulders is used to indicate that an individual do not actually understand something.

It is important to note that these highly culture-bound methods are learnt over the years, not in the school environment, but by observing and imitating others (O’Neil, 2009). The intensity of the message being communicated is evaluated in terms of whether the individual is using a high, low, quick, slow, whispering or yelling voice. In the U.S., the interaction distance is also critical in communication, and usually demonstrates the confidentiality, sensuality, or secrecy of the message.

Still, culture normally dejects touching by adults except in situations of great familiarity or formal greetings, and men run the risk of being labeled homosexuals or individuals of questionable character if they are seen holding hands. Lastly, clothes are used to communicate different messages, especially in women

The Latin American culture stresses very close interaction distance between two individuals, not mentioning that much more physical contact between individuals is expected and desired (O’Neil, 2009). In the Japanese culture, focus is largely placed on the eyes of the communicating individuals to interpret emotions since culture does not allow open expression of emotions as is the case in the U.S. (Hogan, n.d.).

A staff member working in a medical practice can bridge the cultural gap between American body language and other cultures’ body language by first and foremost understanding the symbolic significance and meaning of different body language cues employed within the cultural-specific context (Hall, 1987).

For instance, the staff member needs to understand that while most Americans express their joy or sadness by varying the direction of the mouth, the Japanese express the same feelings by eye depiction (Hogan, n.d.). Understanding how the Japanese vary their eye depiction will give the medical practitioner much more information about whether a particular patient is happy or sad, the same way an American or a Latin American patient may be understood by the way they vary their mouth.

Understanding the communication distance is important in bridging the gap between Americans and Latin Americans since both employ varying levels of distance while communicating. A proper understanding of these variations will assist the practitioner to discern appropriate adjustments in giving assistance. Clothes in the Japanese cultural context do not carry the same meaning as the do in the American culture.

In bridging the cultural gap, the staff member also needs to be aware of the implications of distinct gestures and postures demonstrated by various cultures. For instance, while bowing is highly criticized in North America for displaying dominance over others, it is highly respected in Japan as a means to display rank (Hall, 1987). In the same vein, while an American may point at something using his/her index finger to emphasize a point, the same is considered highly rude and disgraceful in the Japanese culture.

In addition, the staff member needs to be aware of the fact that people from different cultures suppress or reveal their facial expressions divergently. While the Japanese culture repress facial expression as much as possible, the Latin American culture is known to amplify sorrow or unhappiness using facial expressions, while most American men hide anguish or sadness. Understanding these differences is paramount for effective communication

Reference List

Chen, P.W. (2009). Bridging the culture gap. The New York Times. Web.

Hall, E.T. & Hall, M. (1987). Hidden Differences, Doing Business with the Japanese, New York: Doubleday.

Hogan, K. (n.d.). Reading body language: Japanese vs. American. Web.

O’Neil, D. (2009). Hidden aspects of communication. Web.

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Bridging the Cultural Gap in a Medical Practice: Use of Body Language

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