Understanding the role of health professional-patient communication practices in East Asia: Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Mainland China

Jack Pun, E. Angela Chan, Diana Slade

Research output: Conference PapersRGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (without host publication)peer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Health communication is an emerging and fast growing field of research and practice in East Asia. Emerging research indicates that existing Anglo-Saxon models of communication do not provide an adequate explanation of the patterns, styles and preferences that medical professionals display in communication with patients in the East Asian context.
Objective: To provide an integrative review of literature on health communication in East Asia and detail culturally-specific influences. Methods: Using PRISMA model, search of PubMed, PsychInfo, Web of Knowledge, ERIC and CINAHL databases were conducted for studies between January 2000 and March 2017, using the terms ‘clinician/health professional patient',
‘nurse/doctor-patient, ‘communication' and ‘Asia'. Results: 38 studies were included: Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The existing body of research on clinician patient communication in East Asia can be classified: 1) understanding the roles and expectations of the nurse, clinician, patient, and family in clinician-patient consultations: a) nurse-patient communication; b) doctor-patient communication; c) the role of family member; and 2) factors affecting quality of care: d) cultural attitudes towards death and terminal illnesses; e) communication preferences affecting trust, decision-making and patient satisfaction; f) the extent to which patient centred care is being implemented in practice; and g) communication practices in multilingual/multi-disciplinary environments. Conclusion: The review detailed the complexity and heterogeneity of clinician-patient communication across East Asia. The studies reviewed 127 indicate that research in East Asia is starting to move beyond a preference for Western-based communication practices. Practice implications: There is a need to consider local culture in understanding and interpreting medical encounters in East Asia.

Conference

Conference8th International and Interdisciplinary Conference on Applied Linguistics and Professional Practice (ALAPP 2018)
PlaceUnited Kingdom
CityCardiff
Period17/09/1819/09/18
Internet address

Bibliographical note

Research Unit(s) information for this publication is provided by the author(s) concerned.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Understanding the role of health professional-patient communication practices in East Asia: Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Mainland China'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this