Patients have a harder time communicating with non-native medical professionals if they speak with a foreign accent, according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
Researchers found that when medical professionals speak with a foreign accent, it detracts from the believability of the message, simply because they are harder for native English speakers to understand.
Subjects were asked to judge truthfulness of trivia statements that were recited either by native or non-native English speakers. Consistently, American-born subjects trusted American accents, while not trusting non-native speakers with mild or heavy Asian, European, or Middle Eastern accents.
The findings might be hard to hear for the more than 17% foreign-born healthcare workers who are currently holding a position or internship in the U.S. When patients can’t understand their medical professional, they’re highly likely to ask for another doctor to oversee their visit—that means it’s time for some help with pronunciation and accent reducing exercises for doctors and nurses born abroad.
While accent discrimination isn’t fair, there is something medical professionals can do to be proactive in better working with patients.
Working in an online setting, health professionals can improve English pronunciation and achieve accent reduction with a professional Speech Pathologist. Pronunciation Pro provides mp3 files, worksheets and assignments for non-native English speakers to improve their pronunciation in their own time and allow them to be better accepted and trusted by patients.
A FREE 7-day trial can introduce healthcare professionals to the possibilities of speaking English like an American, improving confidence, and aiding in the ability to relate to and be trusted by patients. Communication is of the utmost importance between doctor and patient—don’t be passed over because of your accent!