The trend toward casual address and dress in the medical profession could reinforce the power differential that already exists between patient and physician and adversely affect the patient-physician relationship.
Teaching physicians cultural competency concepts and skills that will help them overcome the challenge of caring for patients from many cultures and lead to improved patient-physician communication.
A physician discusses potential factors underlying disparities in health care and health outcomes and advocates for standards to improve cultural competence, improve health literacy, and reduce disparities.