Cultural Awareness In Healthcare

New York City is rich with culture and tradition from around the world. Some of the major challenges I expect to face from working in this environment are the potential cultural divides that can exist between the patient and physician. Language barriers and societal disparities are among some examples that I expect to come across. The ability to be willing to view your patient as an individual, with their own customs and outlooks, forms a large role in building trust between the patient and provider. Though at times cultural differences can be detrimental in providing optimal care to the patient, the right mindset can significantly improve patient-physician cooperation. My multicultural heritage has given me the unique opportunity to interact empathetically with people from various cultural backgrounds.