Presentation summary
In the Northern Territory (NT), with its rich tapestry of languages and cultures, intercultural communication skills are essential for effective partnerships with culturally connected experts. Two community-based NT allied health teams partnered with a local research team to co-create an intercultural communication community of practice (CoP).
The CoP supported application of intercultural communication theory developed through collaborative research which centres Yolŋu understandings of connection, communication and collaboration (Armstrong et al., 2022, 2023). Yolŋu are First Nations Australian peoples from North-East Arnhem Land. Balanda is a word used by Yolŋu to refer to non-Indigenous people.
This continuous quality improvement project aimed to: translate research findings into practical skills for health professionals working in diverse communities in the Top End; facilitate deeper intercultural connections between allied health practitioners and families with whom they work; and enhance communication and collaboration across all stages of service delivery.
Pre-session surveys and reflective discussions identified collective learning goals to inform project planning. Six 2-hour workshops were facilitated by Yolŋu and Balanda researchers from February to July 2024. Workshops involved whole-group learning, multimedia resource sharing, small breakout groups, and self-reflection activities. Participants also engaged in reflective journalling and discussions for continued personal and professional growth. The impacts of the project were evaluated using audio-recorded allied health practitioner reflections and surveys, analysed by members of the allied health teams.
This presentation will showcase an effective approach to co-creating a CoP through researcher-clinician partnerships which respect the authority of First Nations experts and the diversity within and between communities.
Case studies about application of intercultural communication research in speech pathology practice in culturally and linguistically diverse communities will be shared. Reflections demonstrate how the CoP supported deep reflection, provided useful strategies for daily use, prompted collaboration, and facilitated evidence-based change to how practitioners work with intercultural partners.