Intercultural communication in health care. An exploratory approach to the interaction between social workers and immigrant patients

Abstract

In this text we propose a reflection on the intervention of Social Work among sick people from other naturalities and we intend to know the cultural dimensions present in the performance of professionals, particularly the communication dimension. The data were collected through a focused interview with three social workers working in a hospital context in Lisbon and we sought to know which procedures were adopted for an intervention focused on the sick person, identify the intervention models present, know and signal some ethical challenges and dilemmas that present themselves to professional practice in working with culturally diverse people and recognize the importance of acquiring cultural and communicational skills in holistic monitoring of patients. The results allow us to verify that the intervention of the social worker is fundamental and decisive in helping and supporting patients, bearing in mind a close relationship and a clear, assertive and knowledgeable communication of the cultural specificities of each person.