Details

Delivering bad news is one of the most difficult conversational situations in medicine. People with advanced cancer need someone who listens carefully and empathetically and can clearly explain what is happening. When treating patients with an immigrant background and incurable cancer, language barriers often complicate care. Translation is usually handled by family members or staff at hospitals and clinics, which is problematic: technical terms are not rendered correctly, translations are distorted by politeness and sympathy, or the legal validity of the information provided is uncertain.

The CareTalk project, recently launched by the Department of Palliative Medicine at Heidelberg University Hospital, aims to overcome these barriers by improving communication and, thereby, the quality of care in this sensitive area. CareTalk is funded by the “Donations Against Cancer” program at the NCT Heidelberg.

In Phase 1, project staff are asking interpreting students what is necessary for adequate training in the field of medical translation. Patients, family members, and healthcare professionals are also being interviewed about their needs. This joint consideration of the perspectives of patients, family members, interpreters, and healthcare professionals is a distinctive feature of the study.

The first interviews have already been conducted. We are still seeking additional physicians, nurses, and professionals from other palliative care disciplines. The interviews take place online or in person and last approximately 60 minutes.

In Phase 2, training programs for interpreters and medical staff will be developed based on the results of the interviews. Phase 3 calls for the multicenter expansion of the program.

Contact for interested parties:
Dr. Christina Gerlach, Sarina Carter
Department of Palliative Medicine, UKHD
Email: sarina.carter(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de
 

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