Understand nurse's perspectives on communication with Chinese-speaking cardiac patients

To explore communication experiences, resource accessibility/quality, and communication strategies cardiac nurses use when caring for Chinese-speaking patients.

In this exploratory qualitative study, nurses were recruited from professional association members and interviewed on communication barriers/facilitators, resource accessibility/quality, and communication strategies used when caring for Chinese-speaking cardiac patients. Transcripts were thematically analysed.

Nurses (n = 11) were primarily female (7/11), with 2/11 Chinese-speaking. The themes discussed centred on two areas that created difficulty in communication, including the lack of a common language and uncertainty of the Chinese culture. Dependence on interpreters was highlighted and challenges noted included limited availability and difficulty scheduling, variable quality and approaches, and lack of communication resources leading to a dependence on poor quality materials. Nurses were uncertain about Chinese culture and how to communicate, particularly in relation to family-centred beliefs, mental and sexual health, medication, and diet.

Health communication with Chinese-speaking patients needs to address multiple challenges to be effective.

The findings emphasise the need to optimise interpreting services and provide nurses with cultural competency training and tailored resources to improve their understanding of Chinese immigrants' needs. These recommendations will support nurses to address identified language and cultural uncertainties.