Example health and social care dissertation topic 9:

The language dilemma: Doctors, immigration and patient care.

This dissertation investigates the dangers that may arise as a consequence of employing foreign nationals within the NHS. Noting the requirements of the EU with regard to ‘the right to work’ this study suggests that such legislation has, unintentionally, led to a situation where patient care may be jeopardise as a result of failures of communication between patients and doctors where first languages are not shared. Commenting upon a range of case studies that have been noted in the press over the past five years as well as undertaking interviews with staff, patients and prosecutors, this is a dissertation that combines theoretical and practical issues of patient care with issues relating to wider employment legislation.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Cohn, S., Alenya, J., Murray, K., Bhugra, D., De Guzman, J. and Schmidt, U. (2006). ‘Experiences and expectations of refugee doctors: A qualitative study’. The British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 189(1), pp. 74-78.
• George, J.T., Rozario, K.S., Anthony, J., Jude, E B. and McKay, G.A. (2007). ‘Non-European Union doctors in the National Health Service: Why, when and how do they come to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?’ Human Resources for Health, vol. 5(1), pp. 6-10.
• National Health Executive (2012). ‘Language skills unchecked in foreign doctors’. National Health Executive. Available at: http://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/Health-Care-News/Language-skills-unchecked-in-foreign-doctors.