Bridging language barriers in healthcare
A communication workshop for medical and dental students
Image © shutterstock.com/g/KatePilko
Dental Connect is a collaborative student and staff initiative within Dundee Dental Hospital and School, which endeavours to reduce oral health inequity and improve access to oral health education in Tayside. The ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) subgroup within Dental Connect collaborates with Dundee City Council to improve the oral health literacy amongst those with limited English proficiency, by embedding oral health education into ESOL classes and thereby improving access to dental care.
This initiative has highlighted the pivotal role of clear communication when engaging with those with limited English proficiency. Through communication and interaction with attendees of ESOL classes, Dental Connect members have developed a deeper appreciation of the challenges faced by these patients, such as understanding information presented or reading resources, and have developed skills to enhance communication. Effective communication forms the foundation of patient-centred care and is paramount in obtaining valid consent and ensuring compliance with Standard 2 of the GDC’s Standards for theDental Team1.
We have organised two interactive communication workshops led by the ESOL teachers, involving dental and medical students at the University of Dundee, to increase awareness of the barriers faced by those with limited English proficiency. The most recent event was held in November last year and was run in collaboration with the Dundee Social Medicine Society (DUSMS).
The session began with the ESOL teachers speaking in a different language, then proceeding to ask attendees a series of questions. Initially the attendees were unable to understand what was said and asked. However, after the teachers repeated it, spoke more slowly and utilised body language, the audience understood and were able to respond. The audience was subsequently made to recite phrases in different languages, many of which found challenging. These activities allowed participants to place themselves in the perspective of a patient with limited English proficiency. It provided them with a small insight into the multitude of challenges these patients face, including difficulties understanding and communicating in a different language.
The next activity was centred around these patients’ experience of translating written information. The audience was tasked with writing down a phrase in a different language, for which they were provided an alphabet. Participants found this aspect of the workshop particularly difficult as it took time to process, translate and write in a different language. This exemplified how language barriers extend beyond the face-to-face clinical interaction, demonstrating the added complexity of translating written information, such as appointment letters and forms.
The event received positive feedback, following feedback questionnaires. The interactive format of the workshop improved participants’ confidence and was helpful in practising and applying communication skills learned.
The main learning points participants took away from this experience included:
- Patients with limited English proficiency may feel stressed and overwhelmed in an unfamiliar environment where they may not fully understand what is being said/written.
- The importance of repetition, smaller sentences and non-verbal communication (such as body language) to facilitate understanding.
- Importance of patience and giving the patient time to process and respond.
Attendees gained a deeper appreciation of the challenges faced by patients with limited English proficiency and were equipped with strategies to mitigate some of these barriers and enhance communication. This helps to facilitate an environment of understanding, empathy and effective delivery of information.
We aim to continue improving oral health literacy within the Dundee ESOL community and bridge the gap in dental inequity. Looking forward, we hope to plan similar events and continue this collaboration with healthcare students.
Raniyah Saeed is an ESOL Coordinator with Dental Connect.
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