Providing appropriate resources for Aboriginal patient learning is fundamental to enhancing patient centred care. English can be an Aboriginal person’s second, third, fourth or fifth language spoken at home. The ability for an English-speaking nurse to educate Aboriginal patients is challenging in a hospital were approximately 75% of the Aboriginal patients do not have English as their first language.
The Royal Darwin Hospital Cardiology nurses completed a qualitative review of the existing cardiac patient education resources in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). It was determined the education pamphlets available are complex in text and rated high level reading on the health literacy scale. There were no resources available in Aboriginal language. Surveying of Aboriginal patients identified a recurrent theme that ‘story telling’ and ‘hearing stories’ is an important way Aboriginal people learn, this was missing with the current education material. Reviewing how a nurse educated patients whilst performing moments of care allowed the nursing challenges to educate a non-English speaking patient to be recognised.
A review of alternative education delivery methods was completed. It was determined that talking boards were an audible alternative to written information and an affordable and accessible option when compared to a computerised or electronic application. This led to the development of the ‘cardiac talking boards.’ The boards represent four languages, English, Kriol, Tiwi and Yolngu. After review and patient consultation a cardiac resource is available that is audible, aimed at appropriate health literacy level, culturally appropriate for Aboriginal patients and accessible for patients and nurses.