MIN_08AchievingMinoritised Ethnic Communities
Implement Inclusive Remote Consultation Practices
Summary
Ensure remote consultation approaches are culturally sensitive, inclusive, and supported by appropriate interpretation and communication tools.
Supporting information
Remote consultations can inadvertently exclude ethnic minority patients through language barriers, lack of privacy in multigenerational households, or cultural preferences for in-person care. Adapting remote consultation practices ensures digital healthcare reduces rather than widens ethnic health inequalities.
Approaches to implementation:
- Offer choice between remote and face-to-face consultations without requiring justification
- Ensure interpretation services work effectively in remote consultations
- Provide guidance in multiple languages on how to access and use remote consultation platforms
- Consider cultural factors such as gender preferences when scheduling remote appointments
- Monitor uptake and outcomes of remote consultations by ethnicity
Key benefits: Ensures the shift to digital healthcare includes rather than excludes ethnic minority communities, maintaining access while respecting cultural preferences and practical constraints.