Experiences of Cultural Influence on Clinician-Patient Communication in General Hospitals in Benue State, Nigeria

The cultural context of the physical environment in which clinician-patient communication takes place often exerts significant influence on its behaviour and outcome. In this study, the researchers investigated the cultural beliefs and practices influencing clinician-patient communication in the multiethnic geographical context of Benue State, Central Nigeria. The study is mixed methods involving personal survey ad in-depth interview, based on experiences of 372 patients and 67 clinicians in 21 of the 23 General Hospitals (GHs) in the State. The analysis guided by Purnell’s model shows patients’ strong beliefs in the superiority of traditional healers and prayers over hospital care for many health conditions. Also, patriarchal ideologies, taboos, myths, and the dominant use of English or Pidgin English further constitutes serious cultural beliefs and practices that are negatively influencing clinical interactions. Further analysis using cognitive dissonance theory linked the prevalent cultural beliefs and practices in the region to belief-disconfirmation dissonance in clinical interactions, with high tendencies among patients to reject clinical advice. Researchers suggest integration of culturally congruent, patient-centred communication models into care delivery policies to enhance patient trust, reduce dissonance, improve clinician-patient communication effectiveness, strengthen relationships between hospitals and communities, and ultimately enhance healthcare accessibility and improved quality of care.