RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Health and death literacy and cultural diversity: insights from hospital-employed interpreters
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP e8
OP e8
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2016-001225
VO 10
IS 1
A1 Hayes, Barbara
A1 Fabri, Anne Marie
A1 Coperchini, Maria
A1 Parkar, Rafatullah
A1 Austin-Crowe, Zoe
YR 2020
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/10/1/e8.abstract
AB Objectives 001225The aim of this qualitative study is to better understand, through the experiences and insights of hospital interpreters, how people from culturally and linguistic diverse (CALD) communities might respond to advance care planning (ACP) and end-of-life discussions.Methods Hospital interpreters from five Melbourne metropolitan health services were recruited for in-depth semi-structured interviews that explored the question, ‘What can be learnt from hospital interpreters about cultural issues related to ACP and end-of-life decision-making?’ Thirty-nine interpreters, representing 22 language groups, were interviewed. Analysis of the transcribed interviews used qualitative description.Results Thematic analysis identified three major themes: (1) moral difference; (2) health and death literacy; and (3) diversity within culture.Conclusion A value-based approach to ACP is recommended as a way to capture the person’s individual values and beliefs. Health and death literacy have been identified as areas that may be over-estimated; areas that can be addressed and improved, if recognised. Health and death literacy is a particular area that needs to be assessed and addressed as a pre-requisite to ACP discussions.