• Br J Gen Pract · May 2005

    Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial

    The effect of educational intervention on intercultural communication: results of a randomised controlled trial.

    • Hans Harmsen, Roos Bernsen, Ludwien Meeuwesen, Siep Thomas, Govert Dorrenboom, David Pinto, and Marc Bruijnzeels.
    • Department of Health Policy and Management; Department of General Practice, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.harmsen@erasmusmc.nl
    • Br J Gen Pract. 2005 May 1; 55 (514): 343-50.

    BackgroundDue to worldwide migration to Western countries, physicians are increasingly encountering patients with different ethnic backgrounds. Communication problems can arise as a result of differences in cultural backgrounds and poor language proficiency.AimsTo assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention on intercultural communication aimed to decrease inequalities in care provided between Western and non-Western patients.Design Of StudyA randomised controlled trial with randomisation at the GP level and outcome measurements at the patient level.SettingGeneral practice in Rotterdam.MethodThirty-eight Dutch GPs in the Rotterdam region, with at least 25% of inhabitants of non-Western origin, and 2407 visiting patients were invited to participate in the study. A total of 986 consultations were finally included. The GPs were educated about cultural differences and trained in intercultural communication. Patients received a videotaped instruction focusing on how to communicate with their GP in a direct way. The primary outcome measure was mutual understanding and the secondary outcomes were patient's satisfaction and perceived quality of care. The intervention effect was assessed for all patients together, for the 'Western' and 'non-Western' patients, and for patients with different cultural backgrounds separately.ResultsAn intervention effect was seen 6 months after the intervention, as improvement in mutual understanding (and some improvement in perceived quality of care) in consultations with 'non-Western' patients.ConclusionsA double intervention on intercultural communication given to both physician and patient decreases the gap in quality of care between 'Western' and 'non-Western' patients.

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