Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 6, 2014, Pages 1238-1246

Language Barriers in Mental Health Care: A Survey of Primary Care Practitioners (Article)

Brisset C. , Leanza Y.* , Rosenberg E. , Vissandjée B. , Kirmayer L.J. , Muckle G. , Xenocostas S. , Laforce H.
  • a École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Pavillon Félix-Antoine Savard, 2325 rue des Bibliothèques, Quebec, QC GIV 0A6, Canada
  • b École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Pavillon Félix-Antoine Savard, 2325 rue des Bibliothèques, Quebec, QC GIV 0A6, Canada
  • c Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • d Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
  • e Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • f École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Pavillon Félix-Antoine Savard, 2325 rue des Bibliothèques, Quebec, QC GIV 0A6, Canada
  • g Centre de santé et de services sociaux de la Montagne, Montreal, Canada
  • h Centre de santé et de services sociaux de la Montagne, Montreal, Canada

Abstract

Many migrants do not speak the official language of their host country. This linguistic gap has been found to be an important contributor to disparities in access to services and health outcomes. This study examined primary care mental health practitioners’ experiences with linguistic diversity. 113 practitioners in Montreal completed a self-report survey assessing their experiences working with allophones. About 40 % of practitioners frequently encountered difficulties working in mental health with allophone clients. Few resources were available, and calling on an interpreter was the most common practice. Interpreters were expected to play many roles, which went beyond basic language translation. There is a clear need for training of practitioners on how to work with different types of interpreters. Training should highlight the benefits and limitations of the different roles that interpreters can play in health care delivery and the differences in communication dynamics with each role. © 2013, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Primary care Migrants Interpreters Mental health Linguistics barriers

Index Keywords

Communication Barriers mental health service Quebec human communication disorder middle aged statistics and numerical data general practitioner language Mental Health Services Surveys and Questionnaires Humans migrant male Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire translating (language) Translating Physicians, Primary Care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84912011335&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-013-9971-9&partnerID=40&md5=561b815119d76746e2ec7748f5032e91
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9971-9
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 22
Original Language: English