Workshop 1

Tackling language and communication barriers to quality care.
Facilitator: Anna Whelan ( School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales )

All countries with migrant populations are faced with challenges of communication with patients/clients. In health services we are faced with increased risks if communication is poorly dealt with.

What are some examples where communication has been tackled well?
What factors assisted in facilitating successes?
What examples are there of poor practice and how could we conceptualise improvements?
What support is needed at a policy level to improve language and communication?
What support is needed at a service level?
What research is needed to inform changes?
Who are the stakeholders in this agenda and what alliances and linkages are needed?

Related documents:

Executive summary
Bilingual staff in mainstream healthcare
Language proficiency testing
Health communication between non-English speaking patients and bilingual staff
Matching non-English speaking patients and bilingual staff