Language accessibility in allied healthcare for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families of young children with chronic health conditions: a qualitative systematic review

This review synthesized recent qualitative research evidence on language accessibility in early intervention allied health services in the context of providing family-centred care (FCC) for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families of children with chronic health conditions. A search was conducted using nine bibliographic databases, and hand-searching. 11,888 articles were screened and assessed; 15 articles were then included. Analysis of data from these articles resulted in four themes: service delivery barriers in working with CALD families, clinicians’ use of individualized strategies and interventions, benefits and challenges in involving interpreters, and recommendations for clinical practice. Current practices regarding language accessibility reflect FCC principles of family strengths, individualized family services, and the family-professional relationship; however, the principle of family choice was not always reflected. Greater language accessibility was achieved by clinicians using strategies to facilitate communication, using language-appropriate resources, and by families and professionals working in partnership.