April 3, 2025A collaboration between the Physiotherapy Clinical Educator, Allied Health Education, and the Transcultural & Language Services (TALS) team provided La Trobe University Physiotherapy students with a valuable opportunity to enhance their confidence and develop essential skills in working with interpreters and non-English-speaking background (NESB) patients through a simulated learning scenario.
Designed to deepen students’ understanding of effective communication with patients with limited English proficiency, the simulation offered hands-on experience working with interpreters in a healthcare setting. This innovative learning experience allowed students to practice cultural competence in a controlled environment, helping to prepare them for real-world patient interactions. The session was developed in response to feedback from the Allied Health Clinical School in 2024, which highlighted challenges students faced when working with NESB patients and interpreters.
Senior Physiotherapy Clinical Educator, Julia Layer, played a pivotal role in developing and establishing the simulation, collaborating closely with Justine Slattery, Allied Health Education Lead, and TALS team members David Le, Stefania Zen, and Navneet Gill. To create an authentic experience, a bilingual actor was required to play the role of a patient. Uyen Phan, Associate Director of Allied Health – Physiotherapy & Exercise Physiology, stepped in and delivered a highly convincing performance.
“It’s been so valuable and a lot of fun to be involved with our students from the perspective of our patients. Being proficient in working with NESB patients and the TALS team are key skills for clinicians in our culturally diverse society, especially at Northern Health,” said Mr Phan.
The simulation session was structured with 30 minutes of preparation, followed by a 30-minute subjective assessment with a Vietnamese-speaking mock patient – first without an interpreter and then with one. The session concluded with a 30-minute debrief and educational discussion led by the TALS team, where students reflected on their experiences and key learnings. The simulation was conducted in the NCHER Simulation Lab, replicating a hospital ward environment for added realism.
“Leading this session allowed me to witness firsthand the powerful impact of hands-on simulated learning in developing student skills. It was truly rewarding to see students reflect, gain confidence, and enhance their competence in a short amount of time. The involvement of multiple Northern Health teams was invaluable, as each team member brought their expertise to support and guide student growth,” said Ms Layer.
TALS Education and Engagement Manager, Stefania Zen, emphasised the importance of culturally responsive care.
“Collaborating with the physiotherapy education team on this simulation training was a fantastic opportunity for TALS to reinforce the significance of culturally responsive care. By immersing students in realistic scenarios, the simulation provided a safe and impactful way to develop essential skills for working effectively with interpreters and NESB patients. I commend the physiotherapy team for recognising this need, and I hope to see more disciplines adopt this approach to better prepare future healthcare professionals.”
Allied Health Education Lead, Justine Slattery, also highlighted the value of the simulation experience.
“Simulations provide a great opportunity for allied health students to develop their professional skills and confidence in a safe and supported learning environment. The physiotherapy students fully embraced this experience and gained valuable insights into the critical role of interpreters in delivering high-quality care for culturally and linguistically diverse patients, as well as the broader importance of patient-centered communication.”
The first session, held in early March 2025, welcomed eight Physiotherapy students who participated in the 90-minute simulation at the NCHER Simulation Labs. Preliminary feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with students rating the session an impressive 4.7/5 overall.
“The simulation gave us a great opportunity to practice communicating with patients through an interpreter in a controlled setting. Working with interpreters currently employed at Northern Health provided us with valuable insights into navigating language barriers while ensuring our patients feel safe, understood, and supported. The skills and knowledge gained from this session will shape how I approach patient communication in my future practice,” shared James Parry, a fourth year La Trobe University Physiotherapy student.
This initiative marks an important step in enhancing cultural competence within the Physiotherapy student program, ensuring future healthcare professionals are equipped to communicate effectively with Northern Health’s diverse patient population. It also demonstrates the benefits of interdisciplinary teamwork and education, paving the way for further collaborations between Northern Health education teams.
Pictured in featured image (L-R): Julia Layer, Senior Physiotherapy Clinical Educator, Justine Slattery, Allied Health Education Lead, Uyen Phan, Associate Director of Allied Health, Stefania Zen, TALS Education and Engagement Manage, Navneet Gill, TALS Translations Coordinator and David Le, TALS Manager.
