Intercultural communication between Arabic speakers in Sweden as a microculture and the Swedish health care system as a macroculture in the context of healthcare

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the communication between Arabic speakers in Sweden as a microculture and the Swedish health care system as a macroculture in the context of healthcare. The study has both a qualitative and a socio-cultural perspective. It will be used as a theoretical tool to facilitate learning and development in communication to optimize the connection between Arabic speaking health care recipients in Sweden and the Swedish healthcare system. It was conducted by interviewing the professionals who work at the borders between the micro and the macro cultures in three significant roles: Arabic speaking healthcare professionals in different Swedish workplaces, doula culture interpreters, and oral interpreters. A total of twelve participants were interviewed in three groups, where each group consisted of four professionals. The interviews focused on how cultural differences in healthcare concepts and linguistics issues affect the communication between the two cultures. The results showed that differences in the healthcare systems between Sweden and Arab countries have significant effects on the Arabic speakers’ health and understanding of the Swedish healthcare system in regards to treatment methods, speed of procedures, expectations, and decision making. Arab patients are vague in describing their symptoms to the doctor, and also have a massive stigma in regards to mental health. The communication barriers may extend to differences in dialects among Arabic speakers. intercultural communication, healthcare, Arabic, organizational culture, macroculture, microculture, Cultural Gap, Delivering Health Care