Johnson M, Noble C, Matthews C, Aguilar N
South Western Sydney Centre for Applied Nursing Research.
Aust Health Rev. 1998;21(3):49-66. doi: 10.1071/ah980049.
The presence of diverse language skills within health staff provides opportunities to better meet the needs of a multicultural population. A cross-sectional survey of all staff within the South Western Sydney Area Health Service was undertaken to compare language skills with population needs and examine the context of language use. Thirty-one per cent of staff (n = 964) were bilingual or multilingual, with the predominant languages spoken being Tagalog (Filipino), Cantonese, Hindi, Spanish, Vietnamese and Italian. Thirty-seven per cent of bilingual staff used their language skills at least weekly, predominantly in situations of simple conversation and giving directions. Bilingual staff are a valuable resource for the organisation and the presence of a similar overall proportion of bilingual and bicultural staff may engender tolerance and adaptability in providing care to a diverse population. However, supply does not directly match community demand. This mismatch will continue unless recruitment is focused towards identified language groups. The high proportion of staff who rarely used their language skills (37%) may be due to lack of opportunity or limited need, and suggests that further research needs to examine service models that locate bilingual workers close to client need. This study takes a crucial first step towards realising equitable and culturally appropriate care utilising the principles of productive diversity.
卫生工作人员具备多种语言技能，为更好地满足多元文化人群的需求提供了机会。对悉尼西南地区卫生服务机构的所有工作人员进行了一项横断面调查，以比较语言技能与人群需求，并考察语言使用的背景情况。31%的工作人员（n = 964）具备双语或多语能力，主要使用的语言有他加禄语（菲律宾语）、粤语、印地语、西班牙语、越南语和意大利语。37%的双语工作人员至少每周使用一次他们的语言技能，主要用于简单对话和指路的场合。双语工作人员是该机构的宝贵资源，拥有比例相近的双语和双文化工作人员，可能会在为多元人群提供护理时培养宽容和适应能力。然而，人员供给与社区需求并不直接匹配。除非招聘工作针对已确定的语言群体，否则这种不匹配情况将持续存在。很少使用语言技能的工作人员比例较高（37%），这可能是由于缺乏机会或需求有限，这表明需要进一步研究如何根据客户需求安排双语工作人员的服务模式。本研究朝着利用有效多样性原则实现公平且符合文化需求的护理迈出了关键的第一步。
