O.17.2 - Healthcare professionals' use of communication strategies in language discordant consultations: Presenter(s): Brittany M.C. Chan, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The rapid increase in migrants across the globe has led to serious barriers in medical encounters. Several communication strategies (i.e., using interpreters) can be employed by healthcare providers (HCPs) to mitigate language barriers and fulfil migrant patients' cognitive and affective needs in language discordant consultations (LDCs). However, there is no evidence available on what combinations of communication strategies HCPs currently use. As such, this study asked: What combinations of communication strategies do HCPs use to meet migrant patients' cognitive and affective needs in language discordant consultations? 27 semi-structured interviews were conducted (mean age = 44.93). The topic guide was based on the Six Function Model of Effective Communication (De Haes & Bensing, 2009), which entails six goals for meeting patients' cognitive and affective needs. Interviews were all transcribed verbatim and coded by two researchers using a mixed deductive and inductive approach on ATLAS.ti version 22.0.2. Data were analysed by means of the constant comparative method from Grounded Theory. Five sub-themes emerged: 1.) Getting by in dyadic LDCs by use of instrumental strategies (e.g., simplifying information), 2. Getting by in dyadic LDCs by use of affective strategies (e.g., maintaining eye contact) 3.) Overlooking migrant patients' cognitive and affective needs, 4.) Using digital tools in dyadic encounters, 5.) Interpreter use in triadic encounters, and 6.) Involving other stakeholders (e.g., psychologists) for additional support. Overall, results showed that HCPs do not use combinations of communication strategies and mostly relied on using strategies commonly used in language concordant consultations to get by. HCPs often relied on migrant patients' minimal language proficiency in Dutch or a lingua franca to get by in LDCs. Creating more awareness among HCPs in medical curricula to prioritise migrant patients' needs in LDCs by means of combinations of traditional and digital communication strategies is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]