English Proficiency Tests and Communication Skills Training for Overseas-Qualified Health Professionals in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

This commentary reviews recent literature on a number of problematic issues arising from the use of English proficiency tests by registration bodies as the sole assessment of the professional communication skills of overseas qualified health professionals from non-English-speaking backgrounds. It discusses differences between the assessment decisions of language specialists and those of medical communication specialists and the difficulties that many overseas qualified health professionals who have met the English requirements report experiencing as they endeavour to acquire professional communicative competence. It proposes that language specialists and medical communication specialists collaborate in the diagnostic assessment of overseas health professionals' language and communication needs and in the provision of appropriate courses of instruction.

Notes

¹Health professionals who have obtained their primary qualification in countries other than Australia or New Zealand. Although the term suggests a homogenous entity, it in fact refers to a culturally, linguistically, and professionally diverse group of individuals.

²Test fees in 2008 were NZ$295 for IELTS and approximately NZ$950 for the OET.