The Latino Patient: A Cultural Guide for Healthcare Providers

Latinos are dramatically changing the demographic profile of the United States. Developing a strong command of the Spanish language is not a realistic goal for most health care providers wishing to establish a rapport with their Latino patients. Yet growing numbers of health professionals are realizing the importance of understanding Latino culture in order to deliver the best possible care to this growing section of the population.The Latino Patient: A Cultural Guide for Health Care Providers provides an in-depth exploration of Latino diversity-relevant cultural values, beliefs, practices and effective communication strategies. The author has developed an original, practice-oriented model that leads the health practitioner from greeting the patient to negotiating treatment. The book is hands-on with many illustrative examples gleaned from the author's experience and is essential reading for any and all primary care physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, therapists, clinical psychologists and social workers interested in providing the best service to this important minority. The need to develop cultual competence with Latino patients is no longer limited to health professionals in the West or Southwest. As Dr. Chong explains in her book The Latino Patient, Latinos are the nation's largest minority, representing about percent (or . million) people in the United States. Dr. Chong aptly makes the point that the degree to which Latinos adhere to the values and customs discussed in this book depends on factors such as whether the patient is a first-, second- or third-generation immigrant, as well as length of time spent in the United States.-Advance for Nurse Practitioners