Styles of Communication

Whereas Western values stress getting one's point across, Asian values stress politeness in verbal discourse. Asian cultures often use indirect means of expression, relying, for example, more on the nonverbal context for information than on the verbal context. Avoidance of self-disclosure and of public display of emotion is characteristic of many AAPI subgroups, as is not showing overt disagreement. Consequently, in the beginning of a relationship with an AAPI patient, you may have to read between the lines to understand his or her complaint or need. It may be helpful to begin by asking general questions and then to shift to more specific ones.

In the culture of Western medicine, it is common for providers to tell their patients what they are testing for in the diagnostic work-up. In some cultures, patients may prefer not to know, because they fear that the very words may harm them.

Sok Man Kwong speaks about the destructive power of a word. | 1.8 MB Flash File

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