An introduction to cultural differences

Abstract

Patients differ in many ways. Some of these differences are due to patient illness, personality, socioeconomic class, or education, but the most profound differences may be cultural. Many health professionals think that if they just treat each patient with respect, they will avert most cultural problems. But that is not always the case. Some knowledge of cultural customs can help avoid misunderstandings and enable practitioners to provide better care. Beginning next month, wjm will be running a new series on medicine and culture. Each issue will focus on a different ethnic group and provide essential information about cultural patterns for busy practitioners.