Why surveys are 'very hard': exploring challenges and insights for collection of authentic patient experience information with speakers of Australian First Nations languages.

INTRODUCTION: Health services collect patient experience data to monitor, evaluate and improve services and subsequently health outcomes. Obtaining authentic patient experience information to inform improvements relies on the quality of data collection processes and the responsiveness of these processes to the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse populations. This study explores the challenges and considerations in collecting authentic patient experience information through survey methods with Australians who primarily speak First Nations languages. METHODS: First Nations language experts, interpreters, health staff and researchers with expertise in intercultural communication engaged in an iterative process of critical review of two survey tools using qualitative methods. These included a collaborative process of repeated translation and back translation of survey items and collaborative analysis of video-recorded trial administration of surveys with languages experts (who were also receiving dialysis treatment) and survey administrators. All research activities were audio- or video-recorded, and data from all sources were translated, transcribed and inductively analysed to identify key elements influencing acceptability and relevance of both survey process and items as well as translatability. RESULTS: Serious challenges in achieving equivalence of meaning between English and translated versions of survey items were pervasive. Translatability of original survey items was extensively compromised by the use of metaphors specific to the cultural context within which surveys were developed, English words that are familiar but used with different meaning, English terms with no equivalent in First Nations languages and grammatical discordance between languages. Discordance between survey methods and First Nations cultural protocols and preferences for seeking and sharing information was also important: the lack of opportunity to share the 'full story', discomfort with direct questions and communication protocols that preclude negative or critical responses constrained the authenticity of the information obtained through survey methods. These limitations have serious implications for the quality of information collected and result in frustration and distress for those engaging with the survey. CONCLUSION: Profound implications for the acceptability of a survey tool as well as data quality arise from differences between First Nations cultural and communication contexts and the cultural context within which survey methods have evolved. When data collection processes are not linguistically and culturally congruent there is a risk that patient experience data are inaccurate, miss what is important to First Nations patients and have limited utility for informing relevant healthcare improvement. Engagement of First Nations cultural and language experts is essential in all stages of development, implementation and evaluation of culturally safe and effective approaches to support speakers of First Nations languages to share their experiences of health care and influence change.

Corrosion Resistance of 3D Printed Ti6Al4V Gyroid Lattices with Varying Porosity.

Corrosion of medical implants is a possible failure mode via induced local inflammatory effects, systemic deposition and corrosion related mechanical failure. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarisation (CPP) testing was utilized to evaluate the effect of increased porosity (60% and 80%) and decreased wall thickness in gyroid lattice structures on the electrochemical behaviour of LPBF Ti6Al4V structures. The use of CPP allowed for the landmarks of breakdown potential, resting potential and vertex potential to be analysed, as well as facilitating the construction of Tafel plots and qualitative Goldberg analysis. The results indicated that 60% gyroid samples were most susceptible to the onset of pitting corrosion when compared to 80% gyroid and solid samples. This was shown through decreased breakdown and vertex potentials and were found to correlate to increased lattice surface area to void volume ratio. Tafel plots indicated that despite the earlier onset of pitting corrosion, both gyroid test groups displayed lower rates of corrosion per year, indicating a lower severity of corrosion. This study highlighted inherent tradeoffs between lattice optimisation and corrosion behaviour with a potential parabolic link between void volume, surface area and corrosion being identified. This potential link is supported by 60% gyroid samples having the lowest breakdown potentials, but investigation into other porosity ranges is suggested to support the hypothesis. All 3D printed materials studied here showed breakdown potentials higher than ASTM F2129's suggestion of 800 mV for evaluation within the physiological environment, indicating that under static conditions pitting and crevice corrosion should not initiate within the body.