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American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, Vol. 23, No. 2, 113-118 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/104990910602300208

High context illness and dying in a low context medical world

James Hallenbeck, MD

Stanford University School of Medicine; Palliative Care Services, VA Palo Alto HCS, Palo Alto, California

This article provides an introduction to thefield of intercultural communication. Miscommunication among patients, families, and clinicians often results when participants are contextually "out-of-synch." High context communication embeds more information in the contexts within which people communicate and is less dependent on language. Very sick and dying patients often use high context communication strategies. Low context communication stresses explicit verbal communication and is commonly used by clinicians. When clinicians use low context forms of communication with patients using high context styles, misunderstandings frequently arise. Suggestions are given for avoiding miscommunication and enhancing mutual understanding.

Key Words: culture • communication • palliative care

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