Why use interpreters

More than one-third of all Americans have limited health literacy, which leads to difficulties in navigating the complex U. Limiting the discussion to three major points may help avoid overwhelming the patient and interpreter. Allowing the interpreter to dominate the conversation or answer for the patient. Insist on sentence-by-sentence interpretation and direct communication with the patient. Using third-person statements e.

The benefits of using professional interpreters are well documented Table 4. Fewer errors in communication 4 , 8 , Improved patient satisfaction 4 , 17 , Interpreter may act as a cultural liaison to ensure clarification for the physician Interpreter may clarify patient meaning beyond language Interpreter may function as a link between patients and the health system 4 , Lower malpractice risk 15 , Use of a trained interpreter is associated with significantly shorter hospital stays and reduced day readmission rates Information from references 4 , 5 , 8 , 15 , 17 through 19 , 23 , and The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services include four mandates: 1 language assistance for patients with limited English proficiency should be offered at no cost; 2 patients should be notified of the availability of language assistance services in their preferred language, both verbally and in writing; 3 the competence of interpreters should be ensured, and the use of untrained persons or minors as interpreters should be avoided; and 4 easily understood print materials and signage should be provided in the languages commonly used in the service area.

National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters. Data Sources : We searched PubMed, Clinical Evidence, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Medline Ovid using the terms medical interpretation, interpretation for the deaf, interpretation techniques, ethics for interpreters, limited English proficiency, language barriers in medicine, telephone interpretation, certification of health care interpreters, health literacy, teach back, and National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services CLAS.

Search dates: May to August Already a member or subscriber? Log in. Interested in AAFP membership? Learn more. Box , Robert C. Reprints are not available from the authors. American community survey. Accessed August 6, Overcoming language barriers in health care: costs and benefits of interpreter services. Am J Public Health. Drug complications in outpatients. J Gen Intern Med. Do professional interpreters improve clinical care for patients with limited English proficiency?

A systematic review of the literature. Health Serv Res. Ku L, Flores G. Pay now or pay later: providing interpreter services in health care. Health Aff Millwood. Herndon E, Joyce L.

Getting the most from language interpreters. Fam Pract Manag. American Academy of Family Physicians. Culturally sensitive interpretive services—AAFP legislative stance. Accessed December 10, Errors of medical interpretation and their potential clinical consequences: a comparison of professional versus ad hoc versus no interpreters.

Ann Emerg Med. Harsham P. Med Econ. Best practice recommendations for hospital-based interpreter services. Interpreters: telephonic, in-person interpretation and bilingual providers. Sharif I, Tse J. Accuracy of computer-generated, Spanish-language medicine labels.

Hadziabdic E, Hjelm K. Working with interpreters: practical advice for use of an interpreter in healthcare. Int J Evid Based Healthc. Accessed April 13, Dysart-Gale D. Clinicians and medical interpreters: negotiating culturally appropriate care for patients with limited English ability. Fam Community Health. Flores G. The impact of medical interpreter services on the quality of health care: a systematic review. Med Care Res Rev. Professional language interpretation and inpatient length of stay and readmission rates.

Interpretation in consultations with immigrant patients with cancer: how accurate is it? J Clin Oncol. Using a risk assessment approach to determine which factors influence whether partially bilingual physicians rely on their non-English language skills or call an interpreter. Bosworth H. Relatives have an emotional involvement, their language ability is untested, and they are not skilled in medical terminology. Bilingual staff are encouraged to deliver their service directly in their other language, if fluent, without using an interpreter, but the use of bilingual staff to interpret is inappropriate.

Although they are not involved emotionally, their language ability is untested, and they may not possess the necessary skills in medical terminology, or understanding of professional interpreting techniques. Bilingual staff need to be aware of their legal position - basically, if interpreting is not in your job description, think carefully before you do it, and make sure that every attempt has been made to obtain a professional interpreter.

In addition to being trained, a certified medical interpreter will have specific knowledge of medical terminology to ensure accuracy in interpreting. It is important in any healthcare setting to use qualified interpreters. Failure to comply with interpreting standards could result in fines and have clinical consequences for patients. For these reasons, the following people, are not qualified as healthcare interpreters: children, family and friends of patients, other patients, patient visitors, and untrained bilingual staff or volunteers.

Introduce yourself to the interpreter. Give a brief overview, if necessary, of the situation so the interpreter can provide the right tone for the conversation. For example, a routine visit may require a different tone than giving a diagnosis. Understand that the interpreter will only be interpreting what you say.

They are there to provide communication and understanding, not add to the conversation. Understand that the interpreter as a communication professional. Speak clearly and slowly. Many people have a tendency to speak louder, but speaking clearly will be sufficient and time-effective as it avoids the interpreter having to clarify the communication. Speak to the patient , not to your interpreter. Remember, the interpreter is there to provide understanding and communication, but the communication is between you and the patient.

Speak in complete thoughts and pause so the interpreter can interpret your message. Avoid asking multiple questions at once. Understand and be aware that everything you say, and everything the patient says, is being interpreted. A professional, trained interpreter will not alter the conversation.