This article, aimed at general practitioners, nurses, health visitors, pharmacists and administrators in the UK, offers various examples of ethnic, religious and cultural differences within the patient population with the hope of improving communication in therapeutic encounters. Ethnic differences with regard to retinal pigmentation, pill hypertension, drug response and melanin function are briefly examined. Religious and cultural attitudes towards male doctors, abortion, pessaries, sterilization, psychiatry and domiciliary family planning are described. The differing attitudes of Asian and Muslim women toward vaginal examinations, and the most commonly used abortifacients in Europe, England, the US, and Manila are mentioned. Although generalizations are impossible, some rules of thumb for preferences in contraceptive method are offered. Typical acceptor preferences by ethnic group are given for the pill, IUD, rhythm method, injection, post-coital contraception, abortion, diaphragm/cap, and sheath. Needs for general practitioner service, family planning clinics, female doctors, interpreters and domiciliary family planning are touched upon, with practical suggestions. Many cultural conflicts can be avoided if health personnel keep an open mind toward the varying needs and attitudes of their culturally diverse client population.

作者：B, Qureshi

来源：Journal of the Royal Society of Health 1985 年 105卷 1期