[Intercultural communication in the clinical context: a question of partnership]

This article is intended to promote reflection on the intercultural competence of nurses and other health professionals. It discusses the different types of interpretation used to communicate with patients who do not speak English or French, legal and ethical consequences, and impact on health-care quality. The authors offer recommendations for both research and clinical nursing, as well as the health-care system in general, and highlight the challenges faced by nurses in a pluralist society. The literature review reveals an inherent complexity in the use of diverse types of interpreters. Finally, the authors argue that the intricacy of the cross-cultural communication trio is intensified by a lack of adequate preparation of nurses and other health professionals and interpreters regarding cross-cultural communication.