Clinical yarning to be rolled out across Mid West to improve communication between clinicians and patients

Successful tests of a framework for improved communication with Aboriginal patients have allowed the project to be rolled out across the Mid West. The Clinical Yarning model was created in 2016, based on a framework from University of WA medical school Professor Dawn Bessarab. In a joint project with UWA and the Geraldton-based WA Centre for Rural Health, the model was created to better improve how medical professionals could communicate with Aboriginal patients. WACRH Clinical Yarning project lead Associate Professor Ivan Lin said the rollout would help continue to improve the relationship between clinicians and patients. “Built upon in-place cultural learning, Clinical Yarning equips clinicians with practical skills to better connect with Aboriginal patients and integrate cultural understanding into their practice,” he said. “The rollout of face-to-face Clinical Yarning training to (WA Country Health Service) . . . Mid West allied health and medical staff will support improved communication between healthcare clinicians and Aboriginal patients. “Our goal is to bridge cultural gaps and enhance the effectiveness of care.” Training will be conducted via face-to-face learning, or through an eLearning program. It will cover how clinicians can maintain culturally sensitive communication with their respective patients. WACHS Mid West executive director Ron Wynn said he was excited to see the impact the training would have. “We encourage all of our clinical health workers including allied health, nursing, medical and support staff to take up this training and build on our commitment to health services that are culturally welcoming, responsive and safe,” he said.