Increasing cultural awareness in emergency departments with simulation scenarios created through a survey

Abstract

Introduction: There are various difficulties in treating foreign patients; however, the existing educational programs are still insufficient for addressing this issue. The purpose of this study is to investigate what difficulties are encountered in the treatment of foreigners in emergency departments, and to create scenarios for simulation-based education using real-life cases. Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous survey to 457 emergency departments was conducted in 2018. Additionally, we conducted a survey of 46 foreign residents who had visited hospitals for treatment in Japan. The data was analysed quantitatively, and the narrative responses were thematically analysed. Results: Of the 141 hospitals that responded (response rate: 30.9%), 136 (96.5%) answered that they had treated foreign patients. There were 51 and 66 cases with cultural and linguistic difficulties, respectively. In the qualitative analysis, different ideas/beliefs towards treatments or examinations (51.0%) and communication with non-English speaking patients (65.2%) were most common categories in the cases with cultural and linguistic difficulties, respectively. The survey of 46 foreign residents on the surprising aspects of Japanese healthcare showed, 14% mentioned difference in treatment plans between own country and Japan, 12% each mentioned a lack of explanation by medical staff, and a lack of privacy in the examination room. Based on the survey results, we created 2 scenarios of simulation. Conclusions: Scenarios of simulation-based education using real-life cases may be effective materials for cultivating cultural awareness of medical staff.