This week is Harmony Week. Here at Monash Health the Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) Sub-Committee of the Equity and Inclusion Committee have been making progress towards our vision of ‘ensuring we respect and including everyone regardless of the language they speak, how they look, where they come from or what they believe’ is met. CALD committee member and Allied Health Research Advisor Dr Abby Foster is currently overseeing the Safe Words Project, a collaboration between Monash Health and Monash University. This project was passionately initiated by former CALD sub-committee member Dr Chris Lemoh, who remains a key investigator on the project.
“We recognise that excellent patient experiences and outcomes rely on effective communication,” Abby said. “Patients, families, and health care workers must be able to understand each other to optimise healthcare. Patients at Monash Health speak many different languages. This project will help us understand how we can improve healthcare access and equity for those in our community who do not speak fluent English.”
This research project aims to explore the experience of patients from linguistically diverse backgrounds in ward settings. In addition, the research team will explore how healthcare workers interact and communicate with patients and families who do not speak fluent English, at times when they cannot use a trained interpreter.
“We know that some patients and their families cannot always fully understand or express themselves in English and how integral trained interpreters are in these circumstances. However, sometimes health workers speak with these patients without the help of an interpreter. We want to understand more about these situations,” said Abby on behalf of the research team.
A linguist from Monash University will observe interactions between employees, inpatients, and family members in a ward, during routine care. The linguist will also undertake interviews to understand different experiences of communicating without an interpreter and review relevant Monash Health policies.
After a series of COVID-related delays, the research team along with the CALD Sub-Committee look forward to progressing this throughout the year and sharing the findings.
“The information we gather will help us provide more support for patients and staff in situations where they must communicate without the help of a trained interpreter, so they can do so as safely as possible,” said Chair of the CALD Sub-Committee, Dux Balendran.
Approved by Katrina Nankervis, David Bloxham and Michael Holman