Immigrant patients who are not fluent in the language of the host country face particular obstacles. Language
barriers can hinder access to and use of healthcare as it is difficult for immigrant patients to find out what services
are available, communicate their needs to health professionals and understand the care or treatment they require
(9). As a result, cross-cultural care encounters between nurses and patients who do not speak the same language
often lead to insufficient information exchange and poor quality nursing care (13). The situation is compounded for
patients who may already feel vulnerable and anxious because of their illness (20).