Grand Proposal

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School

La Trobe University *

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3CCG

Subject

Medicine

Date

May 31, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

8

Uploaded by clarakookie2003

Title Improving Healthcare Communication with Indigenous Communities: A Mixed-Methods Approach in Melbourne Background and Significance For healthcare to be provided in an equitable and superior manner, effective communication is essential. Nonetheless, major obstacles frequently stand in the way of Indigenous patients' access to high-quality care. Language barriers, cultural stereotypes, and power disparities are some of these obstacles that make it difficult for Indigenous patients and healthcare professionals to communicate (Smith, Jones, & Williams, 2020; Anderson, Devitt, & Cunningham, 2017). Linguistic Barriers: According to research, dialectal differences or low English proficiency are common causes of linguistic barriers for Indigenous patients (Smith et al., 2020). According to Smith et al. (2020), these obstacles frequently cause miscommunications, lower-quality treatment, and greater feelings of alienation among Indigenous patients. Cultural Preconceptions and Biases: Implicit biases and cultural preconceptions held by healthcare providers can have a big impact on communication quality. Research has shown that healthcare professionals sometimes harbour prejudices that cause miscommunication, misunderstandings, and distrust—whether they are aware of them or not (Taylor, Brown, & Clark, 2019). According to Jennings, Bond, and Hill (2018), the problem is made worse by healthcare professionals' lack of cultural competence training, which further alienates Indigenous patients. Power Dynamics: Indigenous patients frequently experience marginalisation and helplessness as a result of power disparities in healthcare settings (Anderson et al., 2017). These relationships may deter patients from speaking up about their issues, which could result in unfulfilled medical needs and subpar medical results. Gaps in Current Research: Even with the amount of research that already exists, there aren't many studies that are especially focused on Melbourne's Indigenous
communities. The majority of research has been carried out in various geographic settings, so the results might not be relevant to the local populace. Furthermore, to properly comprehend the communication difficulties faced by Indigenous patients and healthcare providers in Melbourne, more thorough research utilising a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies is required. Importance of Researching This Issue: Improving the quality of healthcare outcomes for Indigenous patients requires addressing these communication barriers. Better patient satisfaction, relationships between patients and providers, and general health outcomes can all be attributed to improved communication. Healthcare providers in Melbourne can improve cultural sensitivity and communication effectiveness by devising and executing strategies that are tailored to the unique requirements and preferences of Indigenous patients. Proposed Research: This research will look into the communication difficulties that Indigenous patients and healthcare professionals in Melbourne face using a mixed methods approach. The study intends to identify specific barriers, comprehend patient and provider perspectives, and develop workable strategies to enhance cultural sensitivity and effective communication in healthcare settings through the use of quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Aims Finding and addressing communication barriers between Indigenous patients and Melbourne's healthcare providers is the main objective of this study. We will employ a mixed methods approach to collect comprehensive data on these challenges through the administration of quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The goal of this project is to create workable plans for enhancing cultural sensitivity and enhancing healthcare communication, which will ultimately benefit Melbourne's Indigenous population by improving patient satisfaction and health outcomes. By concentrating on this particular area, the study will offer focused insights and solutions that are appropriate for the regional healthcare setting. Research Method Participants:
The study will involve 30 participants: 20 Indigenous patients and 10 healthcare providers from Melbourne. Inclusion Criteria for Patients: - Self-identified as Indigenous. - Over 18 years old. - Recent experience (within the last year) with healthcare services in Melbourne. Inclusion Criteria for Providers: - Healthcare professionals with at least one year of experience in treating Indigenous patients. Recruitment: Participants will be recruited through community outreach programs, local Indigenous organizations, healthcare centres, and social media advertisements. Flyers will be distributed in community centres and healthcare facilities frequented by Indigenous patients. Procedure: The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, consisting of two phases: 1. Qualitative Phase: Interviews with Indigenous Patients: - Conducted in a community centre or a comfortable, neutral setting. - Facilitated by trained Indigenous interviewers to ensure cultural sensitivity and trust. - Example Questions: "Can you describe any challenges you've faced when communicating with healthcare providers?" "What changes would you like to see in how healthcare providers communicate with you?" Interviews with Healthcare Providers: - Conducted in a neutral setting. - Facilitated by researchers trained in cultural competence.
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