Arabic-speaking migrants’ experiences of the use of interpreters in healthcare: a qualitative explorative study

Abstract

IntroductionArabic-speaking migrants have constituted a growing population in recent years. This entails major challenges to ensure good communication in the healthcare encounter in order to provide individual and holistic healthcare. One of the solutions to ensure good communication between patient and healthcare staff who do not share the same language is to use a professional interpreter. To our knowledge, no previous qualitative studies have been found concerning Arabic-speaking migrants and the use of interpreters. This study aims to ascertain their individual experiences which can help extend our understanding of the studied area.MethodA purposive sample of 13 Arabic-speaking persons with experience of using interpreters in healthcare encounters. Data were collected between November 2012 and March 2013 by four focus-group interviews and analysed with qualitative analysis according to a method described for focus groups.ResultsFour categories appeared from the analysis: 1) The professional interpreter as spokesperson; 2) Different types of interpreters and modes of interpretation adapting to the healthcare encounter; 3) The professional interpreter’s task and personal properties affected the use of professional interpreters in a healthcare encounter; 4) Future planning of the use of professional interpreters in a healthcare encounter. The main findings were that the use of interpreters was experienced both as a possibility and as a problem. The preferred type of interpreters depended on the interpreter’s dialect and ability to interpret correctly. Besides the professional interpreter’s qualities of good skill in language and medical terminology, translation ability, neutrality and objectivity, Arabic-speaking participants stated that professional interpreters need to share the same origin, religion, dialect, gender and political views as the patient in order to facilitate the interpreter use and avoid inappropriate treatment.ConclusionThe study showed that the personal qualities of a good interpreter not only cover language ability but also origin, religion, dialect, gender and political views. Thus, there is need to develop strategies for personalized healthcare in order to avoid inappropriate communication, to satisfy the preferences of the person in need of interpreters and improve the impact of interpretation on the quality of healthcare.

Conditions for communication between health care professionals and parents on a neonatal ward in the presence of language barriers

“…Being multilingual increases the work load for health care professionals, since they have to carry out their own work at the same time as acting as interpreter for a colleague (Azam Ali & Johnson, 2016). Studies also show that health care professionals do not have training in interpretation, which might lead to poor quality translation (Hadziabdic & Hjelm, 2014). On one occasion observed in the present study, there was a great deal of information to give to the parents, but since the interpreter appointment was time-limited there was no opportunity for the parents to ask questions.…”

Interpreters' subjective experiences of interpreting for refugees in person and via telephone in health and behavioural health settings in the United States

“…Studies have explored the issues involved for providers in working with interpreters and with clients who rely on interpreters (Altieri , Amodeo et al . , Bischoff & Hudelson , Hadziabdic & Hjelm ); yet, few studies look at the perceptions of interpreters. The interpreters of this study describe experiencing additional challenges in working with refugees versus other clients.…”

Communication pitfalls in interpreted genetic counseling sessions

“…Qualitative and quantitative analyses of interpreter-mediated patient visits in Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and other languages with both professional and ad hoc interpreters have been performed in many specialties, though most extensively in the physician-patient interaction (Flores, 2005;Hadziabdic & Hjelm, 2014;Hudelson, Dominicé Dao, Junod Perron, & Bischoff, 2013;Lara-Otero et al, 2018). These studies have revealed difficulties that can arise in a session where an interpreter is used to convey important information about treatments for medical conditions.…”