Lost in translation? Communication challenges in minority families’ and healthcare workers’ interactions

Abstract

A fundamental principal in the Norwegian welfare system is to provide equal access to healthcare services for all residents, regardless of their ethnicity, language, knowledge, function, or belief. However, many service recipients experience a gap between these ideals and everyday realities. In this article I investigate how this gap affects minority families of disabled children who do not master the majority language and healthcare workers. The data I use in my investigation draw on a qualitative study of minority families of disabled children and healthcare workers. The findings that emerge out of these data are categorized into: linguistic difficulties, expectations and assumptions, and culture-bound services. I use these findings to illuminate how language difficulties and stereotypical assumptions within the Norwegian healthcare system make it difficult for minority families to access healthcare services, and how healthcare services lack an effective way to meet minority families’ needs.

Keywords:

• minority families
• disabled children
• communication challenges
• healthcare workers