An Inductive Qualitative Analysis of Hearing Health Care Professionals' Perspectives on Delivery of Culturally Responsive Care in Australia

Purpose: Global migration has resulted in greater ethnic diversity in Australia. As a result, health care systems must consider an individual's culture and language needs to ensure appropriate and effective care. This is particularly relevant in hearing health care, where effective communication is essential for communicating with clients with hearing loss and cultural and linguistic difference may further impact access, engagement, and outcomes. This study aimed to identify the key factors that affect the provision of culturally responsive care for ethnically diverse populations in Australian hearing health care. 

Method: Twenty-six hearing care professionals (18 audiologists/audiometrists, four clinic managers, and four front-of-house staff) were interviewed to understand their perspectives on delivering culturally responsive hearing health care. 

Results: Inductive thematic analysis identified five themes that contributed to the provision of culturally responsive care: (a) identifying clients' cultural needs, abilities, and building trust; (b) overcoming language barriers through professional interpreters, informal interpreters, and technology; (c) providing information that is understandable and acceptable; (d) including family members in appointments; and (e) scheduling flexibility, clinic support, resources, and priorities. 

Conclusions: Findings indicated that several barriers impede the provision of culturally responsive care: language barriers, lack of resources (such as speech tests in other languages and sufficient room sizes for family members to attend), time constraints, and insufficient cultural training. These barriers were addressed through the support of the clinical team, appropriate cultural training, and access to interpreters and translations. This study highlights the need for both resources and training to ensure that all professionals can meet the needs of their ethnically diverse clientele. 

Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.31079485.