Postgraduate Researchers in Science Medicine Conference 2005: Abstracts
Developing Alternative Communication Strategies to Facilitate Communication with Somali Asthma Patients with Limited English
Marianne Johnson
Asthma patients with limited English and literacy skills, particularly refugee groups such as Somalis, experience significant communication difficulties with English-speaking health care providers. According to previous research in Manchester, many Somalis are affected by asthma once they arrive in the UK. This condition is rare in Somalia and consequently patients with limited English have difficulties explaining their symptoms and understanding how to manage this unfamiliar illness. Current language services for non-English speakers (i.e. interpreters) are often unavailable or inappropriate and relatively few alternative communication strategies exist.
The current study aims to address this gap by investigating the feasibility of using Augmentative and Alternative Communication ( AAC) strategies to facilitate cross-cultural provider-patient communication. Such techniques include pointing to pictographic symbols on paper or on computerized devices with a touch-screen interface and synthetic speech output. These alternative or supplementary communication methods have traditionally been designed for individuals with a speech or language impairment.
This presentation will give an overview of the process and challenges involved in developing culturally and linguistically appropriate AAC symbols and devices for individuals whose only ‘handicap’ is their lack of English. Proposed data collection methods and results obtained to date will be reported.
Marianne Johnson, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, The University of Manchester, Coupland 3, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL
Postgrad Talent NW is supported by the NW Regional Hub of the Research Councils’ UK GRAD Programme.
All material is copyright postgrad talent northwest 2004, use of this website is subject to our standard terms & conditions
