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High context illness and dying in a low context medical world

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


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Hallenbeck, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hallenbeck, J. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Palliative Care Social Bookmarking                         What's this?