Abstract

Patients with serious illness who prefer a language other than English (PLOE) and their families encounter significant barriers to high-quality, equitable care. Addressing these inequities requires innovative, multi-level approaches. This seminar will present data on the presence and drivers of healthcare inequities for patients with serious illness and PLOE and introduce an innovative bicultural-bilingual caseworker program, integrated within the healthcare system, to improve care for this population. Dr. Sharma will also discuss essential considerations for community engagement approaches with multiple culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the context of palliative care. 

About the Speaker

Dr. Rashmi Sharma is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of Research in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Washington. She also serves as Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence. Nationally recognized, she leads the ImPaCT research program, focusing on improving palliative care for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

About the Seminar Series 

The Cicely Saunders Institute Open Seminar Series events are free to attend.

The series aim is to optimise opportunities for local, national and international networking within palliative care and rehabilitation. We facilitate seminars to assist in improving practice, education and policy, and the integration of research and clinical endeavours.