Medical Assistant Communication Barriers Analysis

Culture and language can be potential barriers to patient care if the medical assistant cannot communicate effectively. When the medical assistant is faced with a culture or language barrier, the situation should be approached in a calm, respectful, and professional manner. The medical assistant should thoroughly explain what is expected. It may be helpful to slow down communication, break questions up, and rephrase questions more than once, so the patient can understand. Having a sense for each person’s culture and background will also be a helpful asset to communicating and understanding each patient. Assumptions about each patient should never be made due to poor communication or lack of understanding; this can actually cause more harm than good and possibly prevent the patient from seeking further care. …show more content…
I am sure some of my gestures could be interpreted as offensive to others, especially by other cultures where certain hand gestures take on an entirely different meaning. Also, I have witnessed other professionals call patients back from the waiting room while making a waving motion with their hand. To me, a waving motion signifies to hurry up and could be interpreted by the patient in such a way as well. In Europe, the wave of a hand, depending on the motion, can mean the word no. Also, I found it very interesting how smiles can be used and interpreted in many different ways around the world.
When the emotional and physical needs of a “special needs” patient are understood, the medical assistant can plan ahead to provide better, quality care. Some patient may require special accommodations that will require prior planning before the patient arrives. The medical assistant may also pick up on cues from the patient as a professional relationship is formed, which will also help eliminate potential communication