ACA Term 3: Complexity - Group activity for webinar by

melanieapplegate — 2025-06-17 16:40:09 UTC

Jamie, a 27-year-old transgender man, arrives for a routine appointment. Despite indicating his pronouns on the intake form, the receptionist calls out "Miss Jamie Smith." During the consultation, the nurse repeatedly refers to Jamie as “she,” and uses his deadname when reviewing records. Jamie becomes quiet and avoids asking questions. He later cancels his follow-up appointment.

Questions:

What messages were unintentionally sent?
How might this affect Jamie’s future engagement with care?
What could each staff member have done differently?

melanieapplegate — 2025-06-17 16:41:00 UTC

Mrs. Nguyen, a 68-year-old Vietnamese speaker with limited English, attends a cardiology appointment with her daughter. The doctor gives detailed instructions in English, occasionally turning to the daughter to interpret. Mrs. Nguyen nods but doesn’t ask questions. Two weeks later, she is hospitalized due to incorrect medication use.

Questions:

What assumptions were made?
What alternatives could have ensured better understanding?
What are the risks of using family as interpreters?

melanieapplegate — 2025-06-17 16:42:51 UTC

Jake, a 33-year-old man with a mild learning disability, attends a diabetes management appointment. The nurse quickly explains how to adjust insulin doses using a chart, but Jake appears confused. Embarrassed, he agrees to everything. The next week, he has a hypo episode due to incorrect dosing.

Questions:

How was Jake’s learning style not accommodated?
What communication strategies could have helped?
How can professionals assess understanding without embarrassment?

melanieapplegate — 2025-06-17 16:43:26 UTC

Fatima, a 50-year-old Muslim woman, is diagnosed with cancer. Her family prefers not to tell her directly, believing it will harm her emotionally. The doctor is frustrated and insists Fatima must be told everything immediately, leading to a conflict and mistrust. Fatima begins missing appointments.

Questions:

What cultural assumptions were at play?
How could the healthcare team have navigated this sensitively?
What role does cultural humility play in care delivery?

melanieapplegate — 2025-06-17 16:43:57 UTC

Tom, a 61-year-old factory worker, receives a printed handout about heart failure with complex diagrams and medical terms. During his appointment, the nurse reviews it quickly. Tom thanks her but later confides to a friend he didn’t understand a word and feels "too dumb" to ask.

Questions:

What might have prevented Tom from asking for help?
How can materials be made more accessible?
What communication techniques support low literacy?

2025-07-01 09:51:14 UTC

Family can be over protective to do not cause distressing with complex news about the patient’s health. We can assume that the family has a centered decision making rather then the individual for serious health issues. Religious believes can affect their faith etc.

Doctors perspective is about clarity and passing the correct information about the true diagnosis for the patient assuming his medical duty.

2025-07-01 09:51:48 UTC

Q1. time constraints, better planning for appointment, check understanding with patient - 'golden minute'. rapport building. was patient aware of what the appointment was going to entail? - surprised at information given. were non-verbal cues picked up.

2 people present at appointment so can have better understanding. mental health - increased anxiety - low self esteem - feels too dumb to ask. making assumptions - heart failure - im going to die soon.

was Tom asked if he had any questions at the end of appointment - negative experience can impact on future engagement with healthcare professionals.

human factors - health professional dealing with personal/professional issues

Q2. easy read materials. checking history - is he hard of hearing / visual impairment/ learning disability. is english first language. online patient info

Q3. sign post to websites with easy read information. provide contact details. red flags. safety netting. any follow up appointments - what to do next? use non- jargon terminology - easy to understand info - confirm understanding with patients. ask patient to bring +1 at appointments. patient centred care. double slot appointments to give extra time

2025-07-01 09:53:25 UTC

As healthcare professionals we need to try and create a bridge between doctor and patient using the family or alternatively someone neutral like an interpreter.

2025-07-01 09:59:38 UTC

Awareness of the cultural complexity and respect patient dignity is a key for intercultural structure.