Communication across language barriers in Nordic paediatric oncology care – A cross-sectional multicentre survey with healthcare personnel

Abstract

Objective

The study investigated how healthcare personnel communicate with families when experiencing language barriers, and the use of interpreters in Nordic paediatric oncology care.

Methods

A cross-sectional multicentre survey study with registered nurses (RNs) and medical doctors (MDs) at 20 Nordic paediatric oncology centres. The “Communication over Language Barriers questionnaire” (CoLB-q) was used in the respective Nordic languages. Descriptive analysis and non-parametric tests were used to summarize and compare data.

Results

A total of 489 RNs and MDs completed the survey (response rate of 55 %). Although most respondents reported often or sometimes caring for families with limited proficiency in the country's majority languages, only 20 % had received education in how to use an interpreter. When communicating without an interpreter both professions had used relatives and children as language brokers to some extent. Most respondents assessed that the use of interpreters increased families' participation and improved their care relationships with the families. MDs used interpreters more often than RNs, who in turn used children as language brokers more frequently than the MDs did.

Conclusion

Although most respondents believed that a professional interpreter increases patients' and families' participation and safety in care, children were used as language brokers by both professions. Few had received education or training on how to use an interpreter despite that most participants often met families with limited proficiency in the country's majority language.

Innovation

This study highlights a critical gap and underscores the necessity for healthcare personnel to receive education and training on utilizing professional interpreter resources.