Communication is a fundamental human right (McLeod, 2018; McLeod & Marshall, 2023). People with communication disability (PwCD) are at risk of poor healthcare outcomes (Hemsley et al., 2016; Yee et al., 2018). Healthcare workers capabilities can shape safe and quality healthcare services for PwCD. Speech pathologists have an important role in educating the community about inclusive communication to improve patient safety and trust within healthcare systems (Mcleod, 2018). It is crucial that we understand healthcare worker’s existing knowledge, skills and capacities to provide and support inclusive care.

Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were collected from healthcare workers across four healthcare services, two rural and two metropolitan. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to reveal healthcare worker perspectives of barriers and facilitators to communication access, their knowledge, skills and capabilities, and future needs for providing inclusive communication. The findings from this study will inform the development of co-design communication accessible solutions for healthcare settings.

Three key themes emerged focusing on: healthcare worker practices, support people and systemic factors. Findings suggest that healthcare worker capabilities may be enhanced by offering increased and targeted training and support around inclusive communication. Addressing service-level factors such as extra time for PwCD may also have potential to improve healthcare services. This study reflects perspectives of healthcare workers in four distinct health services and may not reflect experiences in other settings or wider populations.

Audience members will be encouraged to reflect on scenarios that portray non-inclusive and inclusive healthcare approaches. The audience will be prompted to consider ways that they can advocate for and promote communication inclusion across healthcare services.

Hemsley, B., Georgiou, A., Hill, S., Rollo, M., Steel, J., & Balandin, S. (2016). An integrative review of patient safety in studies on the care and safety of patients with communication disabilities in hospital. Patient Education and Counselling, 99(4), 501-511.

McLeod, S. (2018). Communication rights: Fundamental human rights for all. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(1), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2018.1428687

McLeod, S., & Marshall, J. (2023). Communication for all and the sustainable development goals. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 25(1), 1-8.

Yee, S., Breslin, M. L., Goode, T. D., Havercamp, S. M., Horner-Johnson, W., Iezzoni, L. I., & Krahn, G. (2018). Compounded disparities: Health equity at the intersection of disability, race, and ethnicity. Washington, DC: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.