The Emergence and Relevance of Cultural Difference in Mediated Health Interactions

This paper discusses cultural difference as it emerges in bilingual health communication involving health professionals, migrant patients, and intercultural mediators at community healthcare facilities in Northern Italy. Drawing on a sample of authentic mediated health encounters, we will see how cultural differences surface and are made relevant to the overall goals of the interaction by its participants. Special attention is paid to the intercultural mediator's contributions and how these render the interlocutors' cultural presuppositions and related expectations mutually accessible (or not), thus arguably either favoring or hampering the attainment of quality and equality of care.