Adapting schedules, rearranging appointments and being sensitive to cultural variations to the meaning in time will promote better understanding between healthcare provide and client. Another cultural pattern that varies between ethnic or cultural groups is who makes the decisions. Frequently, the healthcare providers expect the parents to make healthcare decisions for a child. In some cultures, it may be a group decision or the decision may be made by the 'elder' in the family. The insistence that only the parents be informed of the condition of the child can cause friction within the family.
Communication is critical to providing culturally appropriate healthcare.
Speaking the same language does not guarantee comprehension between healthcare providers and between healthcare providers and the recipient of healthcare. English varies from country to country. Spanish varies between Spain and countries in Central and South America. Speaking different languages creates confusion and misunderstanding. A person that speaks a second language well may not know healthcare terminology in the second language.