*English translation from Vietnamese: “How can I help?”
In the evolving landscape of healthcare, cultural and linguistic diversity is becoming increasingly important. Kasia Groves provides a handy checklist of existing resources that optometrists and ophthalmologists can use to cultivate a culturally competent and linguistically diverse team.
It goes without saying that creating diversity within your eye care practice will not only improve patient outcomes but also benefit the practice itself. A diverse team can bridge language gaps and help garner trust, enabling your team to broaden their reach within the community. By ensuring patients fully understand their diagnoses and treatment plans, we achieve better adherence to medical advice and reduce disparities in health outcomes among different population groups.
Practices that embrace diversity can differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace. A diversity of perspectives and experiences can foster creativity and improve problem-solving abilities. Additionally, with an inclusive work environment, practices will attract quality staff, and enhance job satisfaction and staff morale, leading to better retention rates.
RECRUITMENT AND HIRING PRACTICES
To build a team of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) staff members, it is essential that any job postings demonstrate your inclusive approach and are positioned to reach diverse communities.
To do this:
- Highlight the practice’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the job description,
- Partner with multicultural organisations and educational institutions to reach potential candidates,
- Implement blind recruitment processes to reduce unconscious bias. This involves anonymising applications to focus on candidates’ skills and experience,
- Provide ongoing cultural competency training for all staff members covering various cultural norms, values, and communication styles,
- Offer language training programs to staff members,
- Encourage and support professional development opportunities focussed on diversity and inclusion,
- Develop and enforce policies that promote diversity and inclusion within the practice, including anti-discrimination policies and support for flexible working arrangements, and
- Recognise and celebrate events, including cultural awareness days, festivals, and heritage months.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EXISTING RESOURCES
In Australia and New Zealand, we have access to a variety of free services and resources that can be accessed to help you and your team care for the needs of patients from CALD communities.
Translation and Interpretation
Services Translation and Interpretation Services (TIS) offer essential support for practices without multilingual staff. These services provide professional interpreters who can facilitate communication between healthcare providers and patients. TIS can be integrated into practice workflows through phone or on-site interpretation, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder patient care. Further information available at: tisnational.gov.au.
Health Translations Website
The Victorian Government’s Health Translations website healthtranslations.vic.gov.au is a valuable resource for accessing multilingual health information. It offers a comprehensive database of health information translated into various languages, making it easier for healthcare providers to communicate with patients who speak different languages.
Specific Disease Resources
Macular Disease Foundation Australia
Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) provides educational materials in multiple languages on various macular diseases, including brochures and information sheets. These resources cover topics such as symptoms, treatment options, and lifestyle modifications.
These materials can be ordered directly from the MDFA’s website (mdfoundation.com. au/resources) and integrated into patient education sessions, waiting room literature, and follow-up communications to ensure patients fully understand their condition and management options.
Glaucoma Australia
Glaucoma Australia offers an array of resources translated into various languages. These include detailed guides on glaucoma, its symptoms, treatment options, and ongoing management. The resources are designed to educate patients and their families, helping them navigate the challenges of living with glaucoma. They also serve as an essential tool to help patients understand the importance of adhering to treatment plans.
Access these resources via Glaucoma Australia’s website (glaucoma.org.au/i-haveglaucoma/ resources-and-tools/foreignlanguages- 2). They can be used during consultations, shared via email, or printed for patients to take home.
Diabetes Australia
Diabetes Australia offers resources tailored to the needs of CALD communities. These include translated fact sheets, dietary advice, and management plans that take into account cultural dietary practices and lifestyle factors.
These materials can be used to support diabetic patients who are also dealing with related eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy. By providing culturally sensitive educational materials, practitioners can improve patient engagement and management of their overall health. Further information is available at: diabetesaustralia. com.au/resources/multicultural.
Cancer Council Australia
The Cancer Council Australia provides information on various types of cancer in multiple languages. This includes details on symptoms, screening, treatment options, and support services.
For eye care patients diagnosed with ocular melanoma or other eye-related cancers, these resources can be instrumental in providing comprehensive care and support. Visit: cancer.org.au/health-professionals/resources/ diverse-languages-cultures.
ASSESSING QUALITY
Ensure the resources you choose are developed by reputable organisations and have been reviewed by healthcare professionals. This guarantees the accuracy and reliability of the information provided to patients. Also, consider the cultural context of the materials. Resources should not only be translated accurately but also culturally adapted to ensure they are meaningful and effective for the target audience.
Kasia Groves is the founder of KG2 Consulting (kg2consulting.com. au), providing human resources consulting and coaching. Ms Groves is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) and has over a decade of experience working with small, medium, and large businesses across multiple industries and sectors, including optometry.
