By Chris Hingston
While the English skills of international medical graduates are often criticised, it appears Australian-born registrars can't rest on their laurels, with research showing a significant proportion may need to improve some aspect of their written or spoken English.
Only five of 18 South Australian registrars were found to have high-level English language skills across all areas assessed, despite 11 of the doctors being born in Australia, according to a study in the Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions.
Lead author Associate Professor Anna Chur-Hansen (PhD), from the University of Adelaide, said IMGs were often portrayed unfairly by the media, and the study showed they were not the only doctors who needed help with their English.
"I think it's really important not to have these generic labels on international medical graduates, assuming problems without assessing or measuring," Professor Chur-Hansen said.
The study assessed skills including use of appropriate language, spelling, handwriting and ability to understand colloquial terms used by patients.
Spoken language was assessed in a simulated consultation with a 16-year-old girl requesting the oral contraceptive pill because she wished to start having sex.
Actors playing the patient were told to use colloquial language such as "knocked up", "up the duff" and "when is it, like, safe to have sex?".
Overall, three registrars were found to have "substantial spoken and written English language difficulties", while five had less serious difficulties such as poor spelling or using words patients did not understand.
A further five were found to have poor handwriting skills.
Co-author Dr Cate Howell, a senior lecturer in general practice at the University of Adelaide, said it was important all regional training providers assessed the English skills of registrars early in their training so problems could be addressed.
Reproduced with permission from Australian Doctor, 12th April 2007