Research Report: Communication Barriers in Aboriginal Healthcare

This report, a student assignment for CHCPOL003, examines the critical issue of communication barriers between Aboriginal patients and healthcare workers. The research, conducted by Harpripat KAUR and Jess WEBB, delves into the factors that hinder effective communication, including socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural differences. It references key articles such as "Sharing the true stories: improving communication between Aboriginal patients and healthcare workers" by Cass et al. (2002) and "Barriers to participation of Aboriginal people in cancer care: Communication in the hospital setting" by Shahid et al. (2009). The methodology includes qualitative analysis of interviews with Aboriginal patients and healthcare providers, exploring their perspectives on communication challenges and potential solutions. The findings highlight issues like lack of patient access, different communication styles, the impact of the biomedical model, and the need for skilled interpreters. The report emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity, improved training for healthcare staff, and the use of interpreters to bridge communication gaps, ultimately aiming to improve healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal communities.