Jack K H Pun1, E Angela Chan2, Sophie Wang3, Diana Slade4. 1. Department of English, The City University of Hong Kong, 83, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Department of Education, St Antony's College, University of Oxford, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford, United Kingdom; The Institute for Communication in Health Care, School of Languages, Literature and Linguistics, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. Electronic address: jackpun@me.com. 2. The Institute for Communication in Health Care, School of Languages, Literature and Linguistics, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. 3. Faculty of Arts and Social Science, The University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 4. The Institute for Communication in Health Care, School of Languages, Literature and Linguistics, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; School of Literature, Language and Linguistics, ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Abstract
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 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. The paper highlights the need for a specific culturally-appropriate model of health communication in East Asia which may significantly improve relationships between clinicians and patients.
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 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. The paper highlights the need for a specific culturally-appropriate model of health communication in East Asia which may significantly improve relationships between clinicians and patients.