The Communicate Study Partnership

The vision of the Communicate Study Partnership is to ensure more Aboriginal patients receive culturally safe healthcare in their first language.The Communicate Study Partnership will implement and evaluate creative ways to embed cultural safety training and increase use of Aboriginal Interpreters and Aboriginal Health Practitioners at Northern Territory Top End hospitals.Quantitative outcomes (interpreter uptake, outcomes including leave against medical advice, costs) will be measured using time-series analysis. Qualitative outcomes derived from interviews with patient, healthcare provider and interpreter participants, will be informed by decolonising theory and participatory approaches.Successful project implementation will improve experience of care and health outcomes for Aboriginal people, build Aboriginal workforce, and improve healthcare provider satisfaction.

Inclusion Criteria:Different patient and provider participants (e.g. Aboriginal patients, Aboriginal interpreters, healthcare providers of any ethnicity) will be invited to participate in interviews, observations and surveys to assess effectiveness of study activitiesExclusion Criteria:None