Lexigene®: An online medical genetics translation tool to facilitate communication

Professional interpreters are an integral component of healthcare for Spanishspeaking individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Research has demonstrated that errors in interpretation are common and can contribute to poor outcomes for Spanish-speaking clients. Providers with some Spanish proficiency may be able to detect clinically significant interpretation errors, potentially limiting negative clinical outcomes and helping to reduce health disparities for clients with LEP.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The utility of limited Spanish proficiency in interpreted genetic counseling sessions

Waggoner

Harkavy

Way³

et al. 2023

Spanish language concordance in genetic counseling sessions in the United States: Counselor experiences and perceptions of its effects on processes and outcomes

Leon

Veach

Bro

et al. 2021

Prior research suggests language concordance positively affects physician-patient communication and their relationship, but few studies have investigated language concordance in genetic counseling sessions for Spanish-speaking patients. This study explored Spanish-speaking genetic counselors' experiences and perceptions of the effects of Spanish language concordance on session processes and outcomes using the Reciprocal-Engagement Model (REM) of practice as a conceptual framework.There are 17 REM goals associated with four goal factors. A secondary purpose was to explore whether perceived effects are modified when the genetic counselor identifies as Latinx. Ten Latina and nine non-Latina Spanish-speaking genetic counselors who practice in the U.S. participated in semi-structured phone interviews. Directed content analysis yielded four themes reflecting how spoken language concordance promotes REM goal factors (Understanding and Appreciation, Support and Guidance, Facilitative Decision-Making, and Patient-Centered Education) and individual goals within each factor. Six additional themes also emerged: Patients feel grateful/relieved to have a genetic counselor who communicates directly in Spanish; Challenges are lessened (e.g., no need for an interpreter); Language interacts with other cultural similarities to achieve REM goals; Use of Spanish conveys genetic counselor is 'going above and beyond' for patients; Communicating medical information is difficult even when Spanish proficient; and Genetic counselor still able to achieve REM goals without language concordance. There were no apparent thematic differences between Latina and non-Latina genetic counselors. Results suggest language concordance positively influences relationship building and communication and facilitates achievement of REM goals. Proficiency in more than one language is 'value added' for genetic counseling services and should be encouraged in genetic counseling graduate programs and continuing education opportunities. Future research could assess patient perceptions of genetic counseling sessions in which the genetic counselor and patient use the patient's preferred language.

Counseling in a different language: An analysis of experiences and resources in multilingual genetic counseling

Franca,

Swenson,

Wang

2024

This study set out to investigate the experiences of bilingual/multilingual genetic counselors in the United States and Canada who have counseled in a non‐English language and characterize their training experiences to identify potential areas for improvement. A total of 32 bilingual and/or multilingual genetic counselors completed online surveys. Approximately 83% of participants typically counsel patients in languages for which they believe their proficiency is at least good without the participation of an interpreter. Challenges to providing language‐concordant care include insufficient patient‐facing translation tools/resources, with roughly half reporting they have created their own resources out of necessity. For training programs, there was a strong desire for more supervision in bilingual/multilingual genetic counseling students' non‐English language during training to help foster genetics‐related language skills development.