Multicultural Health Fair-Panel Discussion#4


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				Watch more videos > Chris Friesen > Dr.Soma Ganesan, MD, FRCPC > Dr. Arminee Kazanjian
				Powerpoint Presentation of Sarah Bowen, Ph.D.
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	( Sarah Bowen - Video Total Time: 10 min 38 sec )

Summary Notes

Dr Sarah Bowen, discussed the importance of getting the issues of access and equity onto the healthcare agenda – not an easy thing to do. There is often disinterest on the part of the health care system to issues of diversity, and other issues are considered of greater importance. One of the challenges relates to absence of ethnic/language coding in Canadian health data, and limited Canadian research in the area. However, there is good international evidence on “best practice”, particularly on the issue of addressing language barriers. The challenge is not finding the evidence, but in getting the evidence used in planning. Effective strategies include: positioning the issue within a larger policy trajectory; using existing structures and activities (such as CCHSA accreditation standards); and framing recommendations as strategies to meet organizational goals rather than as new programs. It is also important to learn to speak the language of decision makers – Dr. Bowen proposed that to be effective we needed to talk less about “multi-cultural health” and more about “addressing health disparities;” less about “cultural sensitivity”, and more about “risk management”. She demonstrated application of these principles by describing an initiative at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to incorporate the evidence on the impact of language barriers into the region’s Integrated Risk Management Framework. This activity identified a minimum of 35 high level risks for which there was solid evidence of the impact of language barriers:
Quality and patient safety:	22
Corporate governance:	3
Operations and business support:	3
Reputation and public image:	2
HR and staff relations:	1
Information systems and technology:	1
Environment health and safety:	1
Policy:	2

Total:	35
Examples of Risks . Healthcare services in the Region do not meet the needs of the population it serves. . Lack of awareness by general population about healthy living and prevention and early detection of health problems. . The service needs of clients are not appropriately determined upon first contact. . Clients are not accurately or appropriately assessed. . The organization and its partners do not protect the community against health hazards. . Informed consent is not obtained prior to starting any service intervention or treatment. . Opportunities to procure & donate organs missed. . Client and family complaints are not appropriately addressed. . Clients do not take their prescribed medications in an appropriate manner. . The public does not find services accessible and easy to use.

Suggestions for systemic change

. Integrate language services in the health care services agenda

. Talk about language services in terms of risk management, evidence-based decision-making

. Align with existing organizational priorities (e.g. quality & patient safety)

. Incorporate language services into existing initiatives (Integrated Risk Management)