PhD candidate on language barriers in unplanned medical care
KU Leuven, Belgium

This project is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration between the Interpreting Science Research Group (KU Leuven, Antwerp Campus), the Academic Center for General Practice (KU Leuven), Urgency Medicine (UZ Leuven, KU Leuven) and the Department of Languages, Literature and Communication (TLC) (University Utrecht).

Project

Increasing patterns of migration and globalization are increasing the linguistic diversity in all daily activities, at work and in public services. A particular challenge is the interaction between culturally and linguistically diverse patients and healthcare professionals in an unplanned healthcare context (primary care and emergency care). Although it is now generally accepted that miscommunication often occurs during these interactions (with possible negative impact on health outcome), the underlying mechanisms and therefore
also the solutions remain less clear.
 
The aim of MaLBUC is to develop theories and insights about how language barriers work and interfere with communication in culture-sensitive care. The project aims to identify solutions to reduce language barriers, especially in circumstances such as unplanned care where the use of professional interpreters is difficult. Determining effective strategies for reducing miscommunication requires examining the micro-dynamics of patient consultations and analyzing the complex system of interfering factors. It builds on insights from different knowledge domains, including medicine, health communication, interactional sociolinguistics and interpretation studies and involves all stakeholders(including healthcare providers, patients and their representatives).
The candidate will have the following assignments:
  • Doctoral program
  • Systematic literature study.
  • Follow training on specific methodologies.
  • Collection of primary data, fieldwork (audio and video recordings of consultations, interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders).
  • Analysis, processing and reporting of the research results.
  • Construction of theory around features of language-barriers in unplanned care / administration of culture sensitive care.
  • Development guidelines for training stakeholders.
  • Publications in international scientific journals (with peer-review process).
  • Presentations during national and international conferences.
  • Assignments of an organizational nature (study day, conference...).
  • Assignments of an administrative nature (reporting, archiving, ...).

Profile

  • Master's degree from the Faculties of Movement & Rehabilitation Sciences, Communication Sciences, Pharmacology, Medicine, Pedagogy, Psychology, Sociology, or Languages & Literature (Master Interpreting/Translation included) is a requirement
  • Special interest in communication and language barriers, doctor-patient interaction, health care and cultural diversity.
  • Basic knowledge of qualitative research methods is recommended (if not present: willingness to learn)
  • Good social skills (making contacts, teamwork).
  • Great interest in research.
  • To complete a PhD you should also have perseverance, you are easy-going, a good team player, stress resistant and accurate.
  • Contact with patients, doctors and other care providers and contact with a care environment does not deter you.

Offer

  • You will have a unique opportunity to participate in innovative research that examines the relationship between quality in communication and quality in healthcare.
  • You will have the opportunity to participate in innovative research with an important social impact.
  • You will work in a dynamic and multidisciplinary research team.
  • We provide an inspiring and pleasant working environment.
  • There is a lot of variation in the assignment: from literature research to interaction with involved stakeholders (interviews, focus groups), from editorial doctorate to fieldwork.
  • You will be assigned 100% to a research position, with a PhD in either Biomedical Sciences or Translation Studies as the end product.
  • Wage according to scale.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Birgitte Schoenmakers, [email protected]
You can apply for this job no later than August 26, 2022 via the online application tool
KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].

Direct link to the vacancy: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60144147?hl=en&lang=en