The Disconnect: Language versus Health Care

Nicola Coombs

Written by Nicola Coombs, former Strengthening Families Program, Project Coordinator for Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration 

Access to health care is within our basic human rights but for many newcomer immigrant families it is not easily accessible, nor is the system easy to comprehend. Aside from the lengthy wait time to be assigned a family doctor, that likely does not speak their mother tongue, there is the complexity of accessing and understanding health care services in Canada. Whether it be walk-in clinics or emergency departments, one is faced with little to no language support. Language, in its many forms, is the foundation to many civilizations. 

I reflect on a chance encounter when a mother who could barely speak a word of English shuffled through the walk-in clinic doors, with her elementary school-aged child in tow, hoping to have a doctor tend to their medical needs. Sadly, the roadblock embedded in the sign that read “translator must be over the age of 16” lifted off the pages and came to life before all the other patients seated along the clinic walls. Noticing the distress of the parent, a stranger graciously stepped in to translate for the woman. 

Families often face significant challenges when it comes to translation needs, especially in multilingual and multicultural societies. The reliance on teenagers, a family member, neighbors, or social support workers for translation can lead to miscommunication and a lack of privacy. It's essential for institutions to provide professional translation services to ensure clear and accurate communication, respecting the linguistic diversity and upholding the rights of non-English speakers. This not only supports the individual family members but also strengthens community engagement and trust.

Furthermore, with the emergent of other ethnic groups, such as Latinos, Palestinians, South Asian and Rohingya families, there is a dire need for increased presence of certified translators in the health care system. The shortage of specialized minority languages and the cost attached to hiring certified translators creates a challenge to health care related services. Moreover, the shortage of trained (certified) translators poses a threat to client confidentiality. 

There are additional limitations for families with a child or children who is differently abled or struggle with neurodivergent complexities. Families are unaware of the additional medical and social service supports that are available to them, due to a lack of translation support. The focus is isolated leaving the families to seek supports through the social service sector. Not a lot of information is offered to them and as a new immigrant this can be overwhelming and instill a state of helplessness in parents who don’t know where to turn for additional support. 

The Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration (MRCSSI) recognized a gap in the healthcare services offered to families with child/children with cognitive and physical disabilities. Thus, they established the Helping Arabic Newcomer Families with Disabilities to Empowerment (HAND2E). This program helped approximately 75 families between 2021 and 2023. Through the HAND2E program families were connected to supports they had no prior knowledge of. Supports that could have been suggested via medical professionals. The families also received assistance with system navigation.

One idea that appears to float around communities to curb the need for a more diverse medical staff representation - from doctors, to nurses, to administration - is the integration of foreign medical professionals into the Canadian healthcare system. Foreign medical professionals in Canada face a complex array of challenges, including rigorous licensing processes that vary by province, high examination fees, and limited examination opportunities. We continue to see medical specialists driving cabs or settling for social service jobs because the system has made it difficult to practice in Canada. 

Additionally, internationally trained doctors often encounter long wait times for credential recognition and can experience a lack of transparency and support during the process. These obstacles contribute to the underutilization of skilled medical professionals, despite the country's pressing healthcare needs. There can be more versatile translation support for families of all backgrounds if the windows of opportunity were broadened within reason. Creating language translation related job opportunities in the healthcare system for foreign medical professionals can enhance the services of the healthcare system.  Efforts to enhance diversity in medical staff representation are not only about filling vacancies but also about providing culturally congruent care, which is essential for a diverse population.