205 Overcoming language barriers in mental healthcare through communication with technological tools – a qualitative study

Abstract OP 19: Mental Health 2, B302 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30 - 14:30 Aims Global migration has contributed to increasing cultural and linguistic diversity, presenting challenges in healthcare access, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Language barriers in mental healthcare can lead to miscommunication, inaccurate diagnoses, and reduced quality of care. Technological tools, such as translation applications, offer potential solutions for overcoming these barriers, but their effectiveness varies, particularly for complex health-related communication. This study examines the experiences, attitudes, needs, and suggestions of healthcare providers, interpreters, service users, supporters, and stakeholders regarding technological translation tools. A cross-country comparison explores similarities and differences in challenges and strategies across diverse healthcare systems. Methods We analysed 175 semi-structured interviews with participants in Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, and China. Participants were recruited through institutional networks and snowball sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis is ongoing, following Braun & Clarke’s thematic analysis approach, assisted by AtlasTi software. Results Preliminary findings reveal diverse perceptions of translation tools in mental healthcare. Participants reported varying levels of effectiveness and acceptability, citing common barriers such as accuracy, usability, and contextual adaptability issues. Cross-country comparisons highlighted shared concerns - like reliability and trust - as well as context-specific differences in access and implementation of these technologies. Conclusions The study indicates that translation tools show promise for facilitating basic communication tasks, such as emergency interactions, or administrative scheduling. However, participants expressed skepticism about their suitability for addressing the nuanced demands of complex communication tasks, like mental healthcare, highlighting the need for further refinements in design and implementation. Insights from this research can inform the development of more inclusive communication strategies and technology-enabled solutions, ultimately guiding healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology developers in creating accessible mental healthcare for linguistically diverse populations.