Page 151 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 151
Monoligual Health?
for example when communicating with healthcare workers (Pokorn & Čibej,
2018).
In the attempt to provide migrants/refugees in Slovenia with at least some
basic information on healthcare in Slovenia, some project-based initiatives
were carried out, and some ad-hoc brochures¹⁰ were translated in different
languages (e.g. Albanian, Arabic, English, Pashtu, Persian, Russian, Tigrinya,
Turkish, etc.) and mainly disseminated over websites. However, since this in-
formation is scattered across various webpages, those who are not fluent in
Slovene might find it difficult to find.¹¹
Conclusions
Looking at the Slovene healthcare system from a language perspective re-
veals that it is governed by a pronounced monolingual attitude. This is not
evident only from the absence of interpreters/intercultural mediators, but
also from different aspects of healthcare services: wayfinding signage system
in healthcare institutions, various forms (e.g. informed consent, diagnoses or
referrals to specialist examinations) and information on patient’s healthcare
rights can be rarely found in any other languages besides Slovene. In con-
trast, patients who enter Slovene healthcare institutions are increasingly di-
verse, speak a multitude of languages that are unfamiliar to healthcare work-
ers. In this almost ‘monolingual healthcare system’ where linguistic problems
are not addressed at the systemic level, patients and healthcare workers are
left to fend for themselves. As a result, many obstacles related to the lan-
guage barriers arise between them.
On the basis of our research we identified three levels of obstacles that are
connected with language barriers in the field of gynecology and obstetrics.
Firstly, we analyzed some linguistic obstacles that are the consequence of the
lack of available professional interpreters/intercultural mediators. Secondly,
we showed that absence of medical personnel training on linguistic aspects
of healthcare service provision leads to the fact that they are unaware of the
importance of the support provided by qualified interpreter/intercultural
mediators. Lastly, we demonstrated that language barriers faced by mi-
grant/refugee women hinder them to exercise their basic patient rights,
including reproductive rights. These obstacles significantly impair the abil-
ity of Slovene healthcare system to establish quality communication with
migrant/refugee women and thus provide quality healthcare service, and
¹⁰ See http://www.infotujci.si and http://www.nijz.si/sl/projekt-care.
¹¹ Moreover, the information is often unattainable for those who are illiterate.
149
for example when communicating with healthcare workers (Pokorn & Čibej,
2018).
In the attempt to provide migrants/refugees in Slovenia with at least some
basic information on healthcare in Slovenia, some project-based initiatives
were carried out, and some ad-hoc brochures¹⁰ were translated in different
languages (e.g. Albanian, Arabic, English, Pashtu, Persian, Russian, Tigrinya,
Turkish, etc.) and mainly disseminated over websites. However, since this in-
formation is scattered across various webpages, those who are not fluent in
Slovene might find it difficult to find.¹¹
Conclusions
Looking at the Slovene healthcare system from a language perspective re-
veals that it is governed by a pronounced monolingual attitude. This is not
evident only from the absence of interpreters/intercultural mediators, but
also from different aspects of healthcare services: wayfinding signage system
in healthcare institutions, various forms (e.g. informed consent, diagnoses or
referrals to specialist examinations) and information on patient’s healthcare
rights can be rarely found in any other languages besides Slovene. In con-
trast, patients who enter Slovene healthcare institutions are increasingly di-
verse, speak a multitude of languages that are unfamiliar to healthcare work-
ers. In this almost ‘monolingual healthcare system’ where linguistic problems
are not addressed at the systemic level, patients and healthcare workers are
left to fend for themselves. As a result, many obstacles related to the lan-
guage barriers arise between them.
On the basis of our research we identified three levels of obstacles that are
connected with language barriers in the field of gynecology and obstetrics.
Firstly, we analyzed some linguistic obstacles that are the consequence of the
lack of available professional interpreters/intercultural mediators. Secondly,
we showed that absence of medical personnel training on linguistic aspects
of healthcare service provision leads to the fact that they are unaware of the
importance of the support provided by qualified interpreter/intercultural
mediators. Lastly, we demonstrated that language barriers faced by mi-
grant/refugee women hinder them to exercise their basic patient rights,
including reproductive rights. These obstacles significantly impair the abil-
ity of Slovene healthcare system to establish quality communication with
migrant/refugee women and thus provide quality healthcare service, and
¹⁰ See http://www.infotujci.si and http://www.nijz.si/sl/projekt-care.
¹¹ Moreover, the information is often unattainable for those who are illiterate.
149
