Member May 2026: Beyond the Diagnosis: Cultural Competency in Rehabilitation Care-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session was a webinar on cultural competency and interpreter use in PM&R, focused especially on caring for Spanish-speaking patients. The presenters reviewed why the topic matters: Hispanic patients make up a large portion of the U.S. population, but the physician workforce remains underrepresented and many patients face miscommunication, poorer follow-up, and lower adherence when language barriers exist.<br /><br />A major theme was the difference between cultural humility and cultural competency. Cultural humility was described as an ongoing process of self-reflection, learning, and recognizing power imbalances, while cultural competency was framed as a set of behaviors, attitudes, and institutional practices that support effective cross-cultural care.<br /><br />The speakers emphasized practical communication tips: avoid assumptions about language, religion, family structure, or who should receive medical information; ask patients directly about language preference; use formal address when appropriate; and respect preferences for being called by first or last name. They stressed that children should not be used as interpreters and that professional interpreter services should be used for medical discussions, especially for results, procedures, and treatment plans.<br /><br />Several case scenarios showed how to prepare for encounters: check the chart, know the patient’s social situation, confirm the correct patient, introduce yourself clearly, ask who may be present for discussion, and warn patients before discussing sensitive topics like bowel/bladder or sexual function. They also encouraged clinicians to speak directly to the patient, maintain eye contact even when using video interpreters, and give themselves grace while learning a language or working across cultures.

Keywords

cultural competency

cultural humility

interpreter services

Spanish-speaking patients

PM&R

cross-cultural communication

language barriers

professional interpreters

patient-centered care

healthcare communication