Interpretative services in healthcare are crucial for ensuring clear, effective communication between healthcare providers and patients who speak different languages. These services help break down language barriers, which can significantly improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Healthcare is one field where misunderstanding can literally be life or death. More than 25 million Americans speak English “less than very well,” according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and more than 60 million speak a language other than English at home. This population is the least likely to receive preventive care, have access to regular care, or be satisfied with their care. Patients with limited English proficiency are much more likely to have adverse effects from drug complications, poor understanding of diagnoses, low health literacy, and a greater risk of being misunderstood by their physicians. Understanding can be nearly impossible without professional assistance.
Interpretation services in healthcare are an essential part of ensuring quality healthcare. By providing access to professional interpreters, healthcare providers can improve patient care, enhance patient outcomes, and meet regulatory standards as well as legal requirements like the Civil Rights Act.
There are several types of interpretative services available which can be used for routine check-ups or a complex procedure.
- In-Person Interpretation: Ideal for medical consultations or procedures where face-to-face communication is essential. However, clear, direct communication between the patient and provider is necessary. When using in-person interpretation, you need to ensure the following occurs.
- Accurate Communication: Face-to-face interactions that ensure that both verbal and non-verbal cues are accurately conveyed.
- Confidentiality: Interpreters are bound by confidentiality agreements, ensuring that patient information remains private.
- Cultural Competence: In-person interpreters should provide cultural insights, helping to avoid misunderstandings that may arise from cultural differences.
Interpreters should be certified and trained in medical terminology and briefed on the patient's case beforehand, if possible, to ensure smooth communication. Both the interpreter and the patient should feel comfortable during the session, and the healthcare provider should facilitate a supportive atmosphere. Implementing in-person interpretation services can significantly enhance the quality of care for patients with limited English proficiency.
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): Allows healthcare providers to connect with interpreters remotely via video, useful in areas with limited access to in-person interpreters or during emergencies. Here’s a breakdown of the VRI benefits in healthcare:
- Immediate Access: Connects patients and healthcare providers with interpreters instantly, reducing wait times.
- Flexibility: Can be used in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and even at-home consultations.
- Visual Cues: Unlike telephone interpreting, VRI allows interpreters to see and convey non-verbal cues, which can enhance communication.
Some guidelines that will help your VRI sessions be successful are:
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- Technology Setup: Ensure that both the healthcare facility and the interpreter have reliable internet connections and appropriate video conferencing equipment.
- Interpreter Qualifications: Like in-person interpreters, VRI interpreters should be certified and trained in medical terminology.
- Confidentiality: Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality during video sessions, just as with in-person or telephone interpreting.
VRI can significantly enhance the quality of care by providing timely and effective communication, especially in settings where in-person interpreters are not readily available.
- Telephone Interpreting: Is widely used and provides quick access to interpreters over the phone, especially useful in urgent cases.
Here are some key points about telephone interpreting:
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- Speed and Availability: Provides quick access to interpreters, often available 24/7.
- Flexibility: Can be used in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and during home healthcare visits.
- Cost-Effective: Typically, less expensive than in-person interpretation, especially for short interactions.
Again, ensure that interpreters are certified and trained in medical terminology and that the healthcare provider and the patient speak clearly and at a moderate pace to ensure accurate interpretation. Interpreters always must adhere to strict confidentiality protocols to protect patient privacy.
Implementing telephone interpreting services can greatly enhance communication with patients who have limited English proficiency, ensuring they receive the care and information they need. Professional medical interpreters are rigorously trained to handle complex medical terminology and ensure that patients fully understand their diagnoses, treatment plans, and other important information.
Relying on untrained individuals or ad hoc interpreters like family members can lead to errors and discomfort, as they may lack the necessary medical knowledge. There may be family dynamics in play that may result in bias against accurate translation. Family members may cause embarrassment to the patient depending on what information is being requested. Children should never be used as interpreters except in emergencies.
What to Document
Whether it be in-person, video remote, or telephone interpreting, it is important that there is documentation in the medical record that speaks to the interaction. You want to ensure that whenever an interrupter is utilized, the name, ID number, contact information, and length of time are documented.
Summary
Patients with limited English should be given the opportunity to have an interpreter to assist them in understanding their care, medication, procedures, etc. By utilizing any or all of the above methods of interpreting, patients will be more apt to participate in their care, and customer satisfaction will improve. Above all, patient safety will be enhanced.
References
- The Importance of Interpretation Services in Healthcare: Breaking Down Language Barriers for Better Patient Outcomes, September 5, 2024 By Atlas LS.
- US Department of Health and Human Services, Civil Rights Homepage - Limited English Proficiency.
- The Joint Commission Accreditation Manual Comprehensive for Hospitals
- Appropriate Use of Medical Interpreters GREGORY JUCKETT, MD, MPH, and KENDRA UNGER, MD, www.aafp.org/afp.
- US Census Bureau
