Up to 41% of patients treated in health care institutions and hospitals in Vienna are non-German-speaking. As one half of the foreign population of Vienna speaks little or no German, their treatment in health care institutions is a difficult issue. Based on exemplary case reports, linguistic and socio-cultural communication barriers in health care are presented and the problematic area of foreign-language communication is analysed. Misunderstandings due to communication barriers not only have a negative financial impact on health care economy, they also complicate the individual care of these patients. Based on the experience gained thus far and in concurrence with the developments in other European countries, the use of professional interpreters who combine their role as linguistic intermediaries with the cultural features of foreign-language patients (community interpreters) should be encouraged. The use of specifically trained internal hospital staff is recommended as well. A concept to coordinate central organisations that provide interpreters in the public field may substantially enhance the quality and efficiency of health care in this special situation.

Migrants health care Linguistic and socio-cultural communication Community interpreter

patient care cultural anthropology Cultural Diversity Communication Barriers human communication disorder Ethnic Groups ethnic group Austria language Humans Infant, Newborn male case report preschool child female Child, Preschool newborn pregnancy Article migration health care quality Quality Assurance, Health Care Emigration and Immigration Delivery of Health Care Patient Care Team Multilingualism health care delivery Child