The Importance of Teaching Intercultural Competence in English for Specific Purposes Course in European Medical Schools

Abstract

As demographic and cultural change of Europe continues, European Medical Schools need to take initial steps to educate the future health care providers to become culturally competent in order to be able to treat and cure patients’ who have different perspectives, values, beliefs, and behaviors about health and wellbeing. Hence, the introduction of the concept of intercultural communicative competence in English for Specific Purposes course at European Medical Schools is very important for the future health care providers because it will help them to understand that effective health care delivery depends on clear and effective communication between patients, physicians, and other health care professionals who come from different cultures. By contrast, if communication between health care providers and patients is not clear (due to cultural differences), the entire medical treatment process can be hindered. Thus, this paper will discuss the importance of teaching intercultural communicative competence at European Medical Schools.