Culturally sensitive health care - cultural specifics of Roma patients.

Abstract

Globally increasing ethnic diversity of patients brings new challenges for physicians regarding the provision of medical care to patients with different ethnic backgrounds. The starting point is the postulate that it is above all a certain culture that shapes the environment in which the patient meets and communicates with medical professionals, and this is reflected in the relationship between doctors and patients and their mutual communication. The article describes the cultural specifics of Roma patients and defines the most important principles of providing culturally sensitive health care to this unique group, which differs from the major population in many respects. The described principles and recommendations can also be used within the framework of health care for migrants and refugees, whose representation among our patients is increasing.