The Importance of Using Qualified Medical Interpreters
Communication between patients and healthcare providers is a crucial part of quality medical care. For patients with limited English proficiency, the use of qualified medical interpreters is extremely important to ensure clear communication and avoid potentially serious miscommunications.
Unfortunately, many healthcare facilities still rely on ad hoc interpreters such as family, friends or untrained bilingual staff. While well-meaning, these individuals often lack the skills, ethics training and specialized medical vocabulary to interpret adequately. This can lead to omissions, additions or incorrect word choices that alter the meaning and accuracy of communications.
Consequences of Inadequate Interpretation
In the worst cases, inadequate interpretation can lead to misdiagnoses, incorrect treatments, and poor patient compliance and outcomes. For example, in one tragic case, a pregnant woman who only spoke Spanish was prescribed medication by an English-speaking doctor without an interpreter present. She miscarried after incorrectly assuming the medication was a prenatal vitamin.
Situations like these are entirely preventable when professional interpreters are utilized. Studies show the use of trained interpreters increases patient satisfaction, improves outcomes and reduces risks and liability to healthcare facilities. Yet many providers remain unaware of these benefits and the interpreting resources available to them.
Standards for Qualified Medical Interpreters
To be considered qualified, medical interpreters must meet several key criteria. These include:
Fluency in both English and the target language
Training on medical interpreting ethics, practices and protocols
Mastery of specialized terminology and medical concepts
Sensitivity to cultural differences
Ability to convey messages accurately without omission or embellishment
Adherence to confidentiality and impartiality
Certifications from organizations like the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters or Commission for Certification of Healthcare Interpreters demonstrate interpreters have met testing standards to work in healthcare settings.
Gaining Access to Professional Interpreters
Healthcare facilities have several options to provide qualified interpreters:
Hire in-house interpreters for critical languages representing their patient populations
Contract with an interpreting agency to provide services on-demand
Use telephonic or video remote interpreting when in-person interpreters are unavailable
Allow patients to bring their own interpreters if they meet screening criteria
Regardless of the approach, the priority should be on quality, not convenience or cost savings. The benefits far outweigh the investment when it comes to protecting patient health, safety and satisfaction.
Providing equal access to care means overcoming language barriers with professional interpreting support. This allows patients and providers to communicate effectively and avoid the risks of misinterpretation. Families should never have to suffer harm due to lack of interpreters. With the resources available today, qualified medical interpreters are essential for quality care.
