Medical and nursing student communication skills: Preparing to treat Latino patients

Abstract

For this study, the researchers had two objectives: (1) to examine future providers' perceptions regarding Latino patients and related communication challenges and (2) to explore the relationships between students' past experiences with Latinos and their comfort level in treating Latino patients. Researchers assessed cultural competence, communication skills, and overall readiness to treat Latino patients among medical and nursing students using a web-based survey. Previous related survey instruments, pilot tests, focus group feedback, and expert review informed the development of the instrument. Key associations were observed between individual items in the survey evaluating communication skills and variables such as rapport with patients and comfort assessing medical conditions. Overall, the students' responses reflected inadequate knowledge of the Latino population and some discomfort in treating Latino patients. Language proficiency and clinical experience with Latino patients were correlated with comfort with Latino patients. These findings suggest that positive interaction between Latinos and medical and nursing students has the potential to improve patient care. Providing opportunities for cultural immersion as well as training focused on patient-centered communication with Latino patients can moderate provider avoidance of and unsatisfactory rapport with Latino patients.

Keywords:

• Communication barriers
• Communication disparities
• Cultural competence
• Hispanic
• Latino
• Medical education
• Nursing education

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Jess Meehan, Taylor Hughes, Katie Kopp and Michael Harris for their valuable assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

Author information

Windsor Westbrook Sherrill is a Professor of Public Health Sciences at Clemson University and Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Healthcare.

Rachel Mayo is Professor of Public Health Sciences at Clemson University.

Both authors served as Co-Principal Investigators on the NIH sponsored study featured in this article.