Doctor-patient communication is of utmost importance but being culturally sensitive is not limited to providing an interpreter for patients who require one. Many aspects of communication are non-verbal, and culture plays a huge role in medical interactions. Fatima, a Muslim woman, does not make eye contact with her male doctor as a sign of modesty. Her doctor is bothered by this lack of eye contact and is visibly frustrated with Fatima.

Address the following questions:

1.) Explain the perceptions of both individuals in the scenario - How would Fatima perceive the doctor's actions? How would the doctor perceive Fatima's avoidance of eye contact?

2.) What are some ways the doctor may have formed his perceptions in relationship to this scenario? Include at least two examples.

3.) Do you feel the doctor's perception of Fatima would result from top-down or bottom-up processing? Be sure to explain your response.

4.) How would acknowledging perceptual and cultural differences be useful in your future career (Be sure to address your profession/field specifically)?

5.) How can we, as professionals in the healthcare field, become more culturally aware?

6.) Share at least one example, unrelated to the scenario provided, of how individuals from different cultural backgrounds may perceive the same event differently based upon their cultural perspective. Be sure to explain the two cultures represented and elaborate on how their cultural differences impact their perception of the event.