Questions:

8. Non-verbal communication is important in any communication, and can be especially confusing or misinterpreted in cross-cultural communication. Consider the following in a clinical situation: pace of conversation, physical distance, emotional expression, and body movements. As a group, how important are these factors when establishing the patient-clinician relationship? (Source: Core Curriculum in Ethnogeriatrics, a publication of the Stanford Geriatric Education Center, pages 26-27)

a) never

b) rarely

c) sometimes

d) always 

If you selected a) never

.....Never? Okay, you're playing with the answers. Even when the patient is of the same cultural or ethnic background as the clinician, these are influential aspects in gaining information about the patient and establishing the patient clinician relationship.

Return to Question 8 and consider another option.

If you selected b) rarely

.....Rarely? Okay, you're playing with the answers or just checking out all the possibilities. Even when the patient is of the same cultural or ethnic background as the clinician, these are influential aspects in gaining information about the patient and establishing the patient clinician relationship.

Return to Question 8 and consider another option.

If you selected c) sometimes 

.....Sometimes is an acceptable answer, but there is a better one. In emergency care, some of these factors may need to be put on hold until the patient can be stabilized, but then to proceed with maximizing the patient's recovery and health, these factors play a significant role.

Return to Question 8 and check out the 'always' response.

If you selected d) always
.....Correct! Except in emergency situations when some of these factors may need to put on hold until the patient can be stabilized, these are all important factors.
.....The pace of conversation varies culturally. Some cultures are comfortable with long periods of silence, while others consider it appropriate to speak before the other person has finished talking.
......Provide patients with a choice related to physical distance. Individuals from some cultures tend to prefer to be about an arm's length away from another person (e.g. American, European) while those from other cultures tend to prefer closer proximity (e.g. some Hispanic cultures) or greater distance (e.g. some Asian cultures).....
.....Emotional expression varies culturally. Some cultures value stoicism, while others encourage open expressions of feelings, such as sorrow, pain, or joy. Elders from some Asian cultures may laugh or smile to mask other emotions.
Body movements and gestures can be easily misinterpreted based on what is considered culturally appropriate. Individuals from some cultures may consider some types of finger pointing or hand gestures disrespectful or obscene, while others may consider vigorous hand shaking as a sign of aggression (some American Indians) or a gesture of good will (most Europeans). When in doubt, ask. Most people are not offended by honest curiosity based on a desire to communicate without being offensive.
.....That's the last question. Please complete some general, click-on-a-choice demographics about who you are. This quiz is part of a mini-fellowship project with the Stanford Geriatric Education Center. As with any educational program, we would appreciate some general information about the people who have taken the time to participate and completed this quiz.
.....You may contact Bonnie Napier-Tibere at bdnapier@earthlink..net , who constructed this quiz as her mini-fellowship project for further information