Paper short abstract:

This ethnographic study address the research gap/ neglect on how health services create adaptations to culturally and linguistically more diverse patient populations in Norway, investigated how interpreters, health professional and patients are communicating in a Cardiac Care Class.

Paper long abstract:

The Norwegian healthcare system emphasizes equity and universal access to healthcare services: Equity in health implies “equal access to available care for equal need, equal utilization for equal need, equal quality of care for all”. Cardiovascular diseases, including heart infarction, are common causes of death in Norway (23% of all deaths in 2022). There is robust evidence that participation in cardiac rehabilitation, with patient education and physical exercise as core components, significantly increases quality of life and reduces mortality and cardiovascular morbidity for heart infarction survivors. With globalization, Norway's population has grown more linguistically diverse. .

Methods: Making use of ethnographic/ participants observation in the Cardiac Care Class followed by interviews with healthcare professionals, patients, and interpreters in 2022–2023 within a Norwegian hospital in a region with a mixed population and regularly receives Limited Norwegian proficiency. The multidisciplinary team of five researchers/authors were not affiliated with the hospital

Providing interpreting in Cardiac Care Class required organizational, logistical, and pedagogical adaptations, including, engaging qualified interpreters, conducting pre-class meetings with the interpreters, and adjusting the course content and language. Making use of interpreter create dialogue and stimulate questions from patients, engagement and reveal the importance of discuss life style changes with peers and health professionals. In addition making use of individual interpretations and health professional supervision in group training sessions create a in depth focus om body pain, anxiety of moving the body. The information, reflections, training activity and the dialogue in class creates spaces for improving mastering the cardiac condition.