Pediatric Clinics of North America
Volume 66, Issue 3, 2019, Pages 669-686

Overcoming Communication Barriers in Refugee Health Care (Review)

Clarke S.K.* , Jaffe J. , Mutch R.
  • a Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers, Spencerport, NY, United States
  • b Maine Medical Center, Hispanic Studies, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, Bowdoin College, 7800 College Station, Brunswick, ME 04011, United States
  • c Refugee Health and General Paediatrics, Department of General Paediatrics, Perth Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, Locked Bag 2010, 15 Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia 6909, Australia

Abstract

Research demonstrates that language and cultural barriers negatively affect care for patients with limited English proficiency, resulting in significant and costly health disparities. Legal standards emphasize working with qualified interpreters, but training for providers on communicating effectively through interpreters is inconsistent. Knowing the difference between a translator and interpreter, an interpreter's role, and who can be a qualified interpreter are key for providers. Generally accepted best practice for working with medical interpreters includes tips for before, during, and after an interpreted encounter. Potential solutions exist for ethical dilemmas and challenges commonly experienced when working with interpreters. © 2019 Elsevier Inc.

Author Keywords

LEP Best practice Culturally relevant care Medical interpreters Medical training Ethical dilemmas Cross-cultural communication

Index Keywords

communication barrier Physician-Patient Relations Communication Barriers translating (language) Review Humans refugee language Cultural Competency medical education cultural competence doctor patient relationship health disparity human adult Refugees Translating
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85064740156&doi=10.1016%2fj.pcl.2019.02.012&partnerID=40&md5=b407c5f1d2d502ac7af0b29c9dc3aac6
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2019.02.012
ISSN: 00313955
Original Language: English