Communication in cross-cultural consultations in primary care in Europe: the case for improvement. The rationale for the RESTORE FP 7 project

van den Muijsenbergh, M. et al. (2013) Communication in cross-cultural consultations in primary care in Europe: the case for improvement. The rationale for the RESTORE FP 7 project. Primary Health Care Research and Development, (doi: 10.1017/S1463423613000157)

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to substantiate the importance of research about barriers and levers to the implementation of supports for cross-cultural communication in primary care settings in Europe. After an overview of migrant health issues, with the focus on communication in cross-cultural consultations in primary care and the importance of language barriers, we highlight the fact that there are serious problems in routine practice that persist over time and across different European settings. Language and cultural barriers hamper communication in consultations between doctors and migrants, with a range of negative effects including poorer compliance and a greater propensity to access emergency services. It is well established that there is a need for skilled interpreters and for professionals who are culturally competent to address this problem. A range of professional guidelines and training initiatives exist that support the communication in cross-cultural consultations in primary care. However, these are commonly not implemented in daily practice. It is as yet unknown why professionals do not accept or implement these guidelines and interventions, or under what circumstances they would do so. A new study involving six European countries, RESTORE (REsearch into implementation STrategies to support patients of different ORigins and language background in a variety of European primary care settings), aims to address these gaps in knowledge. It uses a unique combination of a contemporary social theory, normalisation process theory (NPT) and participatory learning and action (PLA) research. This should enhance understanding of the levers and barriers to implementation, as well as providing stakeholders, with the opportunity to generate creative solutions to problems experienced with the implementation of such interventions.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:O'Donnell, Professor Kate and Burns, Dr Nicola and Mair, Professor Frances
Authors: van den Muijsenbergh, M., van Weel-Baumgarten, E., Burns, N., O'Donnell, C., Mair, F., Spiegel, W., Lionis, C., Dowrick, C., O'Reilly-de Brún, M., de Brun, T., and MacFarlane, A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
Journal Name:Primary Health Care Research and Development
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:1463-4236
ISSN (Online):1477-1128
Published Online:22 April 2013
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 Cambridge University Press
First Published:First published in Primary Health Care Research and Development
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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