Our Why
We believe that positive experiences in healthcare can be achieved when both patients and providers understand each other.
Healthcare systems are complex structures that operate on their terms and timing, often using language and procedures that are disconnected from patients' everyday lives. There's a significant gap between patients' expectations and the realities of the healthcare system, as well as a disparity between what clinicians expect from their patients and how capable patients feel about engaging in their own healthcare.
We understand this because we've been on both sides of the equation. That's why we're here—to bridge these gaps.
When you live away from your home country, even minor health problems can be challenging. You feel vulnerable and disempowered.
You may feel lost, not knowing what to do or where to go.
You don’t feel confident that you are communicating your concerns properly.
And it becomes hard to trust you are being cared for.
For clinicians, it is also hard to make the system work well for everyone.
In Australia, more than 5 million people speak a language other than English at home. According to the Health Literacy Survey 2018, 18.9% of these individuals find it difficult to navigate the healthcare system, 11% struggle to engage with healthcare providers, and 10% have difficulty understanding health information well enough to make informed decisions.