Improving Healthcare Experiences and Outcomes for Aboriginal Peoples Through Culturally Safe Care and Interpreter Use in Northern Territory Hospitals

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to improve healthcare experiences and outcomes for Aboriginal people by embedding culturally safe healthcare practices and increasing the use of Aboriginal interpreters and health practitioners in Northern Territory hospitals. The study focuses on transforming healthcare culture through anti-racism training and enhancing communication to ensure care is delivered in patients first languages. It also evaluates the impact of these changes on patient outcomes and healthcare provider satisfaction using both quantitative data and qualitative interviews. The study involves implementing a behavioral intervention including anti-racism training called Ask the Specialist Plus, supporting clinical champions of cultural safety through social media and meetings, simplifying interpreter booking processes, and providing training and support to interpreters. Efficiency strategies to improve interpreter availability and retention are tailored to hospital sites. Continuous quality improvement cycles will use data collected through the study to guide ongoing improvements. Participants include Aboriginal patients, interpreters, and healthcare providers who will be involved in interviews, observations, and surveys throughout the study period from 2022 to 2026. Researchers will measure outcomes such as self-discharge rates, patient and provider experiences, interpreter use, hospital readmission rates, and cost-effectiveness. Data will be collected regularly across multiple hospitals to evaluate the interventions impact on cultural safety and healthcare delivery.

The Communicate Study Partnership