Member May 2026: Beyond the Diagnosis: Cultural Competency in Rehabilitation Care (On-Demand)-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This presentation focused on delivering patient-centered care to Spanish-speaking patients through cultural humility, cultural competency, and interpreter use in PM&R. The speakers opened with housekeeping notes about recording, respectful participation, and ways to ask questions, then introduced themselves and explained why the topic matters.<br /><br />They emphasized that Hispanic/Spanish-speaking patients make up a large portion of the U.S. population, yet there are relatively few Spanish-speaking physicians. This language gap can lead to miscommunication, poor follow-up, medication nonadherence, and adverse events. The presenters distinguished cultural humility as an ongoing process of self-reflection and learning from others, while cultural competency was described as a set of behaviors, policies, and skills that improve cross-cultural care.<br /><br />Key advice included avoiding assumptions: don’t assume all Spanish-speaking patients share the same beliefs, that family should hear all information, or that relatives—especially children—should interpret. They stressed asking about language preference, using formal address when appropriate (such as usted in Spanish), and checking whether medical information may be shared with family present. They also recommended introducing yourself in the patient’s language when possible, using interpreter services for medical discussions, and speaking directly to the patient while the interpreter facilitates communication.<br /><br />Several case scenarios illustrated best practices for new consultations, including chart review, confirming identity, assessing orientation when relevant, clarifying preferences for family involvement, and narrating the physical exam through an interpreter. The session concluded with broader reflections on professionalism, respect, and the importance of building rapport. The presenters reminded attendees to give themselves grace while learning language and cultural skills, since even small efforts can greatly improve trust and patient care.

Keywords

patient-centered care

Spanish-speaking patients

cultural humility

cultural competency

interpreter services

PM&R

language barriers

cross-cultural communication

medical interpretation

patient rapport