According to a dissertation to be published in September, many physicians with an immigrant background have poor Finnish skills.
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The dissertation has been conducted by M.A. Maija Tervola.
“Immigrant physicians’ comprehension of language is being tested but the language requirement has been set too low when considering the demands of the work. Another problem is the current language test, which cannot separate the physicians from those who would need support to learn the language,” Tervola said.
While nursing the patient, the lack of language skills is more evident. The nursing staff is stressed when physicians who work at the institution don’t have sufficient language skills. The nursing staff takes responsibility in the communication between the physician and the patient and attempt to clarify misunderstandings when needed.
The many phases of the care pathway prevent dangerous situations but still, according to Tervola, weak communication may even risk the safety of the patient.
“The differences between individuals vary largely, and especially those physicians, who have lived in Finland longer, usually have good language skills,” Tervola said.
In the end, the employer is responsible for the adequacy of the physician’s proficiency in languages.
The employer, however, doesn’t always have the means to evaluate the knowledge of languages especially when the language test doesn’t tell about the adequate professional level of Finnish.
Tervola conducted her dissertation by studying the answers of the medical licensure examinations in Finnish and with a specific word test tailored for her research. The requirements of the working life were researched by interviewing the staff of healthcare institutions.
According to the recent figures of the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira), there are about 1,800 physicians working in Finland who speak another mother tongue than Finnish or Swedish. The number equals about nine percent of the profession.
Valvira is suggesting that the level of Finnish language tests for physicians would be higher than it is currently. At present, the language requirement is the same as in the application for a citizenship certificate.
But more important, according to Jussi Holmanlahti, a director at Valvira, would be to arrange occupational language education for immigrant physicians. “That would help to learn the jargon,” he said.
Source: https://www.tuni.fi/fi/ajankohtaista/vaitos-maahanmuuttajalaakarien-suomen-kielen-taito-vaihtelee-eika-aina-vastaa
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