Forgotten in the crowd: A qualitative study of medical interpreters' role in medical teams

Abstract

Background: Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) experience worse outcomes compared with native English speakers. Communication errors are partly responsible for the disparities among this population. Medical interpreters improve communication and often assume multiple roles during clinical encounters. We sought to explore the perspectives of medical interpreters regarding their role within medical teams and ways to improve communication. Methods:We conducted a qualitative study using semistructured interviews with inpatient and outpatient medical interpreters at an academic medical center between March and August 2021. Interview questions explored interpreters' perceptions of their roles within the medical team and best practices to improve communication during encounters. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Our sample consisted of 20 interpreters with a mean age of 48 years (SD: 14.3) and a mean experience of 16.3 years (SD: 10.6). Two main themes emerged from interviews: (1) the full spectrum of medical interpreters' role and (2) factors acting as barriers and facilitators of interpretation. Interpreters described their role as language interpreters, cultural mediators, and patient advocates. They also identified several factors that may enhance encounters, such as utilizing the teachback method with patients and debriefing with interpreters.Conclusions: Interpreters view their role as extending beyond interpretation to include cultural mediation and patient advocacy. Addressing commonly encountered challenges and adopting some of the proposed solutions highlighted in this study may facilitate improved communication with LEP patients receiving care in healthcare systems.

Meeting the needs of the patient with non‐English language preference in the hospital setting

“…22,23 Along with providing interpretation, a healthcare interpreter may serve as a cultural broker, a patient advocate, as well as a clarifying agent or health literacy guardian. 24,25 Safety risks for patients with NELP include underreporting of adverse events 26 and a lower likelihood of patients or families asking questions, particularly if perceived as challenging healthcare professionals. 27 These inequities have the potential to be reduced with the routine use of professional healthcare interpreters whose profession informs their role as cultural brokers and patient advocates.…”

“…Along with providing interpretation, a healthcare interpreter may serve as a cultural broker, a patient advocate, as well as a clarifying agent or health literacy guardian 24,25 . Safety risks for patients with NELP include underreporting of adverse events 26 and a lower likelihood of patients or families asking questions, particularly if perceived as challenging healthcare professionals 27 .…”

Interpreters as Translation Machines: Telephone Interpreting Challenges as Awareness Problems

“…Affordances for interpreting service providers for service expansion (Wang, 2018a) Low levels of remuneration for interpreters (Wang, 2018a) Convenience due to the removal of the need to travel (Lee, 2007;Wang, 2018b) Occupational factors including poor working environments, health impacts from prolonged sitting, and a lack of professional recognition compared with face-to-face interpreting (Lee, 2007;Ozolins, 2011;Wang, 2018a;Xu et al, 2020) Improved concentration and impartiality compared with face-to-face interpreting (Ko, 2006;Lee, 2007) In recent years, the conduit model has been increasingly challenged by interpreting scholars who pay attention to the visibility of interpreters. A growing body of research emphasises interpreters as key communication participants who actively co-construct messages with other primary parties by utilising not only language but also cultural, interpersonal and socio-political skills to achieve desirable communication outcomes (see, for example, Angelelli, 2004;Chernyshova & Ticca, 2020;Davidson, 2001;Hsieh, 2008Hsieh, , 2016Latif et al, 2022;Major & Napier, 2019).…”

Understanding the Experiences of Medical Interpreters in Palliative Care: An Exploration of Measurement Tools

“…Providing accessible, culturally sensitive care is a priority for the palliative care community as a whole (National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care, 2018). To achieve this, including professional medical interpreters as integral members of interprofessional healthcare teams is imperative (Hsieh & Kramer, 2012;Latif et al, 2022b;Slusarz, 2023;Wu & Rawal, 2017).…”