Barriers in Diversity

There are many ways in which nationality, lifestyle, health, and educational status can become language barriers in health communication. Nationality can include many cultural differences, since there are so many cultures in the United States who have different beliefs and morals. An example of a language barrier with nationality would be a person no believing in receiving care from a member of the opposite sex, but the health care provider does not realize this is a part of that person’s culture and nationality that must be respected.

Lifestyle also can have many language barriers. Such barriers would be people who choose to have a sexual preference of bisexual, homosexual, or transsexual. People who choose a different lifestyle than heterosexual can be judged for their lifestyle choice and this can jeopardize their treatment.

Health is also a language barrier. People who choose to make unhealthy choices for him or herself, such as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years, may find out they have developed a life-threatening health condition, such as lung cancer. A person who has had such an experience may blame him or herself and think they are deserving of the condition, but it is important as a health care worker to not place blame on the patient, but instead, express a need for the patient to improve their health and make healthier decisions.

Educational status can also provide language barriers. People with a lower educational status may have trouble or have a lack of understanding with their health care, as opposed to someone with a high educational level. Also, someone who has had classes in health care or knows a lot about medical terminology will have an easier time communicating with their health care provider about their health condition, without the health care worker having to change up the terminology he or she is using. All health care providers should be sure that their patient understands what they are...