Cultural Pointers
It is important to make every patient feel comfortable and respected. Keep in mind that these tips do NOT apply to every Arabic-speaking individual. They are meant to give a basic overview of the major cultural aspects that may be encountered.
Body Language
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Avoid shaking hands with members of the opposite gender when possible. Forcing a handshake can cause discomfort for some individuals. Let the patient decide if they would like to shake hands.
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Try and keep a comfortable distance between yourself and the patient.
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Make sure to give the patient your full attention. If they feel that the interview is rushed they may be upset or unwilling to share more information.
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Don't forget to smile to express warmth. Even if physical contact is not appropriate, a slight bow with one's hand on the chest is a common way to express good will.
Cultural Sensitivity
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Do not assume that an Arabic-speaking individual is Muslim - many Arabic speakers belong to other religious groups.
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Asking intimate questions of women could be especially uncomfortable if done by a man. It may be best to find a woman for such an interview or to at least have another woman present in the room.
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Asking personal questions of men may elicit defensiveness. Make sure to emphasize the importance of these questions in providing appropriate care for the patient (translations for this are included in the guide).
Linguistic Pointers
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Questions are tonally inflected, just as with English. Tonal inflection can turn a statement or a simple word into a question, again just as with English.