Factors affecting quality of mental health care to people speaking a language other than English in Sydney

Abstract

This paper sought to identify factors affecting the provision of quality care to people speaking a language other than English (LOTE) from the perspective of mental health practitioners in two Area Health Services (AHSs) in Sydney and to recommend strategies that contribute to the achievement of quality care. Data were collected, through a structured questionnaire, from 271 practitioners who were randomly selected from the two AHSs. Factor Analysis and Logistic Regression Analysis were used for data analysis. Only 39% of the respondents were satisfied with the quality of care. Shortage of bilingual practitioners and inadequate organisation of services were found to be the two factors affecting the provision of quality care. Level of knowledge of and skills in working with people speaking a LOTE among mental health practitioners was considered an integral part of each of the two factors. Socio-demographic profile of people speaking a LOTE and the problems they encountered in their migration and settlement were considered not to be factors after adjustment for the effects of supply of bilingual practitioners and organisation of service in the logistic regression model. Suggestions were made of how to increase supply of bilingual practitioners, enhance their knowledge of and skills in working with people speaking a LOTE and better coordinate existing services.