Language accessibility in allied healthcare for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families of young children with chronic health conditions: a qualitative systematic review

ABSTRACT

This review synthesized recent qualitative research evidence on language accessibility in early intervention allied health services in the context of providing family-centred care (FCC) for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families of children with chronic health conditions. A search was conducted using nine bibliographic databases, and hand-searching. 11,888 articles were screened and assessed; 15 articles were then included. Analysis of data from these articles resulted in four themes: service delivery barriers in working with CALD families, clinicians’ use of individualized strategies and interventions, benefits and challenges in involving interpreters, and recommendations for clinical practice. Current practices regarding language accessibility reflect FCC principles of family strengths, individualized family services, and the family-professional relationship; however, the principle of family choice was not always reflected. Greater language accessibility was achieved by clinicians using strategies to facilitate communication, using language-appropriate resources, and by families and professionals working in partnership.

KEYWORDS:

• Language accessibility
• cultural and linguistic diversity
• chronic health
• allied healthcare
• family-centred care
• early intervention

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Christine Dalais for bibliographic database support, and the culturally and linguistically diverse families, clinicians and researchers who informed this review. No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Questions 6 and 8 of the CASP Qualitative Checklist (CASP, 2018) were not applicable to this article using conversation analysis, therefore only 8 points could be attributed.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The University of Queensland Research Training Stipend for Zheng Yen Ng.

Notes on contributors

Zheng Yen Ng

Zheng Yen Ng is a PhD candidate in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland. His research focuses on improving healthcare service provision for individuals with hearing loss and their families, including those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Monique Waite

Dr Monique Waite is a lecturer in Speech Pathology in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on the use of telepractice and innovations in clinical practice and student education in allied health professions.

Louise Hickson

Professor Louise Hickson is professor of Audiology and Associate Dean External Engagement in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on the effects of hearing loss on people’s everyday lives, and developing strategies and interventions to improve uptake and outcomes of hearing rehabilitation.

Katie Ekberg

Dr Katie Ekberg is a Research Fellow in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on conversation analysis, improving healthcare communication, and patient- and family-centred care.