Haematology patients receive vital information throughout their cancer journey that is important to their psychological adjustment to the diagnosis, assist in the decision making process and to ensure their safety.
At Southern Health, up to 53% of patients originate from a culturally and linguistically diverse background (CALD) posing challenges in the delivery of treatment. As healthcare professionals there is a responsibility and duty of care to ensure all information has been communicated to the patient , as poor understanding, because of difficulties of language and interpretation may lead to suboptimal care.2
In this study we assessed the information needs of four patients , with haematological malignancies, and identified a number of areas for improvement. The study used a qualitative method specifically a Phenomenological approach. This method is one of discovery and description and emphasises the understanding in the study of the lived experiences of individuals.The study findings suggested there were challenges in communication between the patients and the doctors at diagnosis with some of the patients lacking knowledge about their condition. This has been reported in a number of studies that identified the use of an interpreter service enhanced the understanding of patients from a CALD background .1
The study identified that the information available, to individuals from a CALD background,was limited . A tool, used in primary education, was identified that could assist in the delivery of information. The Mantra Lingua pen is an inexpensive MP3 player that speaks 40 plus languages. The company provides word charts allowing anyone to design specific posters or books catering for their own needs. The pen is pointed at the chart/book and the pen then translates the information into the language you have selected.
A proposed project, using the Mantra Lingua pen, is being developed to assist patients identify their supportive needs at time of diagnosis.