Hispanic cultural influences on medical practice.

Because the proportion of Hispanic patients is increasing rapidly, most physicians are now coming into daily contact with Hispanics. In addition to obvious difficulty with oral communication, Hispanics share characteristics, in varying degrees, that may interfere with their search for medical help, the diagnoses of their illnesses, therapy, and health education.Neither physicians nor other health professionals need to be experts on Hispanic culture or language to be able to assist Hispanic patients properly. This article summarizes the ethnic background, beliefs, and approaches to health commonly noted among Hispanic patients. Their commonly held assumption that they are in this country only temporarily prevents successful acculturation efforts. Non-Hispanic physicians can nonetheless find great satisfaction in providing quality care for their Hispanic patients.