Effective Communication to Ensure the Maximum Healthcare Needs of Students

Funded Jan 16, 2024

The increase growth in population resulting from the migration of people from various countries and cultures brings forth significant diversity to New York City (NYC). This increase in diversity highlights the importance of cultural competence regarding connection and communication. In essence, it is essential to be prepared to communicate in multiple languages to properly assist the population where English is not their first language. As a school nurse offering healthcare to all students, communicating, and connecting is vital to a healthy and productive school life.

The utilization of translation devices ensures that optimal healthcare is delivered in the native language of each student. This decrease misunderstandings and fears. Every student or child should be empowered to collaborate and have an increase in knowledge in their health and nursing care while at school. Having utilized the translation device, it has immensely increased open communication, proactiveness and rapport with students and families within the medical room and school community. Examples of this includes the ability to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences (both positive and negative). As well as an increase readiness to manage healthcare conditions and practicing healthy lifestyle choices.

Another key factor in utilizing the translation device in the school setting is that it serves as a tool for students and their families to advocate for themselves where applicable. This approach can build effective connections where students, families and school staff can work together on multiple school related objectives and issues. As human beings we are all social creatures therefore having the means and ability to convey and share one's thoughts is essential. For students and parents, the translation devices have greatly assisted communication. Students who have visited the medical room for various health concerns have been able to communicate and advocate for themselves. The use of the translation devices by students and parents have created the means to positively integrate into the school community, collaborate in healthcare activities, their care, and understand multiple concepts to effectively navigate throughout their school life.

Within the weeks of utilizing the translation devices, communication have been easier which makes attending to students' medical needs more time efficient. Students, staff, and parents have enjoyed the how easy it is when using the devices to communicate. Students have expressed their pleasure in using the user-friendly device to navigate throughout their school day. The devices when not in use in the medical room, are offered to students to assist with communicating with school staff, peers and with group assignments.

The translation devices have also helped parents who find it difficult to communicate to effectively in English participate during school events. Events include special education meetings, meetings on student's needs, parent teacher conferences and school workshops. Great benefits from using the translation device are the multiple versions of various languages, its camera feature to capture documents where they are translated in a manner of seconds as well as its talk to text feature. All these wonderful benefits have made communicating in different languages much easier as well as conveying cultural context, expression, and nuance.

Having the ability to utilize the translation devices have been a way to honor and integrate each student's experiences, cultural background, perspectives, and concerns not only into the medical room, but in every interaction.”

With gratitude,

Ms. D