Education: nationally achievable solutions

Abstract

Despite the efficacy of hypertension treatment, knowledge and compliance remain poor in Hispanic patients because of language barriers, low educational levels, and cultural differences. Yet effective physician-patient communication is crucial to patient compliance, satisfaction, and understanding of medical issues. Physicians and health care providers therefore need to develop "cultural competence" skills to achieve effective health education and good treatment outcomes in this patient population. Various strategies such as mnemonic devices can help practitioners communicate with Hispanic patients. National initiatives and research studies continue to address the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate health care.