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Exercise Catalogue
Through the Patient's Eyes – Understanding Cultural Perspectives in Healthcare
Exercise #11
Through the Patient's Eyes – Understanding Cultural Perspectives in Healthcare
Authors: Dr. Elena Rousou, Dr. Panagiota Ellina, Mrs Paraskevi Charitou
90-100 minutes
Description
A scenario-based reflective exercise in which students take the perspective of patients navigating cultural and language barriers in real healthcare encounters, developing culturally sensitive communication strategies.
Methodological Guide
Objectives
Recognise how your own cultural filters influence interactions with patients from diverse backgrounds. Demonstrate empathy by interpreting healthcare experiences from the perspective of a patient with a different cultural background. Apply culturally sensitive communication strategies to improve patient engagement and trust. Reflect critically on your own assumptions, biases, and knowledge gaps.
Expected Outcomes
Increased awareness of own cultural assumptions. Basic skills in culturally adapted communication. Ability to identify practical steps for creating inclusive care environments.
Exercise Procedure
Step 1 (Introduction, 5 min): Teacher explains purpose and sets ground rules; students form groups of 3–5. Step 2 (Branching Scenario, 15 min): Students navigate the surgical-consent decision tree individually. Step 3 (Discussion, 15–20 min): Groups compare outcomes and discuss 'What barriers did the patient face?' and 'How could the team have improved the consent process?'. Step 4 (Peer Reflection, 10 min): Each student writes two positives + one suggestion as if reviewing a classmate's path.
Mode of Implementation
Group work (3–5 students per group) with an individual reflection component. Can be run face-to-face or online (breakout rooms + discussion forum).
Role of the Teacher
Introduce the exercise and set a safe, respectful tone. Support group discussions, ensuring all voices are heard. Provide structured feedback highlighting intercultural communication principles. Conclude with an open-ended question or brief self-reflection.
Theoretical Basis
The exercise is grounded in transformative learning theory (Mezirow, 1991): a Disorienting Dilemma (challenging clinical scenarios), Critical Reflection (students examine their own biases), and Dialogue and Action (group analysis and culturally sensitive proposals). It draws on intercultural communication principles and patient-centred care frameworks.
Practical Application
Students work through a surgical-consent encounter in which a patient with limited host-country language has a son offering to translate, and must decide how to proceed. They identify concrete barriers and propose strategies.
Knowledge Transfer
Students compare their adapted communication strategies and identify elements transferable to other healthcare settings (e.g., mental health, primary care, community nursing).
Reinforcement & Reflection
Peer feedback via a short feedback form (two positives + one suggestion for improvement). Teacher feedback highlights individual strengths and links them to intercultural communication principles, framed as 'What worked well' and 'What could be adapted further' rather than pointing out failures.
Required Resources
Clinical consent scenario (embedded below). Reflection journals or digital forms. Flip chart or whiteboard, markers, pens, sticky notes. If online: group discussion in breakout rooms and forum for cross-group feedback.
Assessment / Evaluation
Each student navigates the scenario and writes a structured peer-feedback-style reflection. Instructor reviews depth of reflection and quality of the two-positives-one-suggestion feedback.
Practical Tips
Support group discussions, ensuring all voices are heard. Avoid judgment. Teacher feedback should highlight individual strengths and link them to intercultural communication principles. Prompt students to consider: use of professional interpreters; patient's right to direct communication; the legal standard for informed consent; and how family dynamics can filter information.
Discussion Topics
What was the most challenging communication barrier you observed? Which culturally sensitive strategy would you use in real practice?
Stage 2: Peer-Feedback Reflection
You have just navigated a surgical-consent encounter where cultural and language barriers created real clinical risk. Now step into the role of a peer reviewer. Imagine a classmate chose the path you did not choose. Write two things you think they handled well and one thing you would suggest differently — two positives and one suggestion, following the exercise's peer-feedback framework.
- Peer Feedback – Two Positives + One Suggestion
Stage 2: Peer-Feedback Reflection
You have just navigated a surgical-consent encounter where cultural and language barriers created real clinical risk. Now step into the role of a peer reviewer. Imagine a classmate chose the path you did not choose. Write two things you think they handled well and one thing you would suggest differently — two positives and one suggestion, following the exercise's peer-feedback framework.
- Peer Feedback – Two Positives + One Suggestion
Further Resources
Cultural competency resources: https://www.cigna.com/health-care-providers/resources/cultural-competency-health-equity — Organi, Z. K., Nazarenia, M., & Aghaee, F. (2024). Understanding the challenges of language barriers in healthcare. Interdisciplinary Studies in Society, Law, and Politics, 3(3), 28-35. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.isslp.3.3.5 — Video (4 min): Are There Cultural Considerations For Informed Consent? https://youtu.be/xtkyUbupl3M
Additional Remarks
General Teacher Feedback Strategy: For each student performance, identify a specific behaviour/skill (e.g., requesting a professional interpreter, asking patient preference), name the intercultural communication principle it reflects, and encourage further development by linking it to practice.