Last week, I received many questions regarding my new career path; Medical Writing. The most common being "Why did you choose to become a medical writer?"
I remember a time I went to the hospital with my GrandMum; being that it was a state hospital, I expected the Physicians to know the local language. As such, I did not go in to see the Physician with my GrandMum.
Staying outside, I noticed the switch in countenance between the Physician and my GrandMum. When they took longer than usual, I stepped in.
The Physician seemed relieved because he asked if I was her caregiver. Then, he proceeded to ask about the symptoms my GrandMum complained that warranted her to be here. I spoke in the English language, and we flowed better while translating the questions to my GrandMum in my native dialect.
From this, I noticed the Physician communicated;
1. Verbally: This had to do with his words and speeches. However, this did not produce a much results because of the language barrier.
2. Non-verbally: He did this by demonstrating with his hands. It yielded little effort as well. As my GrandMum was not medically inclined to interpret what the medical pictures were, except that she could point out the parts of her body implicated.
The non-verbal part discouraged me because I felt it could lead to a wrong diagnosis and an unsatisfied health outcomes between the Physician and my GrandMum.
On the other hand, verbally, I was encouraged by the Physician's ability to understand and communicate in bits the local dialect as language barriers have hampered optimal healthcare delivery.
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To improve communication between Healthcare providers and Patients, I will suggest the following;
1. A Translator where local dialects are involved.
2. Health sensitisation in local dialects.
3. Health education materials in local dialects as well.
This is where I come in as a Pharmacist and Medical writer. From my exposure for four years at the community Pharmacy (being an extern), and two years in the Hospital Pharmacy, I observed that pharmaceutical care was more effective when there was a bridge in the knowledge gap through effective communication.
Let's take a walk back to the local television stations that advertise in local dialects; the people can follow such programmes and improve their lives through the knowledge they get.
This can also be employed in medical writing.
· Health information is a right.
· Effective communication of health information is a right.
I look forward to a time when health information is written in local dialects as well.
Good morning, Growth Tribe.
I am Blessing Abai Sunday, a Pharmacist and Medical content writer.