Conversations through barriers of language and interpretation

Abstract

Ireland has become a multicultural society in just over a decade, with non-Irish nationals comprising 12% of the population. The challenge for nurses working in the Irish healthcare system is to provide culturally appropriate care to this diverse population. This paper reports on a qualitative descriptive study exploring nurses' experiences of communicating with people from diverse cultures, and focuses on language barriers and the use of interpreters. The findings indicate that communicating with people who do not share the same first language is challenging, in particular the participants (nurses) were concerned about their ability to make a comprehensive assessment that ultimately forms the basis for quality care provision. The use of interpreters can inform the assessment process, but there are challenges in accessing and utilising these services. Further continuing education is required to promote culturally appropriate care. There is a need for increased discussion between nurses and interpreters to maximise communication with patients.

Language barriers and their impact on provision of care to patients with limited English proficiency: Nurses' perspectives

“…The findings highlight many issues that arise due to language barriers and examples include difficulties in arranging appointments, missed appointments, explanation of the treatment regimen and invasive procedures to patients. These findings are consistent with previous research that explored the influence of language barriers on care provision to patients (Bischoff & Denhaerynck, ; McCarthy, Cassidy, Graham, & Tuohy, ; Savio & George, ; Tay et al., ). In the absence of HCPs, who can communicate with patients in the same language, use of interpreters can be very effective (Flores, ; Flores et al., ; Leanza et al., ), though not ideal.…”

The conduct and process of mental capacity assessments in home health care settings

“…This concurs with research which has highlighted concerns about the quality of nursing assessments when patients had limited English proficiency (McCarthy et al, 2013). When language needs were identified, participants commonly drew on family members as interpreters.…”

Ambulance nurses' experiences of deciding a patient does not require ambulance care

“…The participants in this study described that when the language advocacy prevailed, the assessment was complicated. McCarthy, Cassidy, Graham, and Tuohy () found that language barriers could limit conversations between patients and healthcare professionals. Hultsjö and Hjelm () describe that the body language is of different importance to different cultures and complicates the assessment of the severity of the state.…”

“…Hultsjö and Hjelm () describe that the body language is of different importance to different cultures and complicates the assessment of the severity of the state. When relatives interpret the conversation in the assessment, it is difficult for healthcare professionals to know how exactly the translation is (Hultsjö & Hjelm, ; McCarthy et al, ). Some patient groups were perceived as more difficult to understand, which previous studies reinforce mainly communication.…”