The Influence of Culture On Patients' Care

What is it about?

Healthcare providers must understand how culture impacts patient preferences for patient-centered care (PCC) with their doctors in order to provide the best possible care. Culture is an important determinant of patient preferences and behaviors. In the United States, there are many different cultures, each with its own set of values and beliefs. For example, some cultures may place a higher value on independence and autonomy, while others may be more collectivistic and place a higher value on family and community. This can affect how patients interact with their doctors and what they expect from their healthcare providers.

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Why is it important?

While PCC has been shown to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, most research on PCC has been conducted in Westernized countries or has focused on only two facets of PCC: decision-making and information exchange. In this study, we examined how culture influences patients' preferences for five facets of PCC: communication, decision-making, empathy, individualized focus, and relationship. We surveyed 2071 participants from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia, and the U.S.A. and found that participants from all four countries had similar preferences for empathy and shared decision-making. For other facets of PCC, participants in the Philippines and Australia expressed somewhat similar preferences, as did those in the U.S.A. and Hong Kong, challenging East–West stereotypes.

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