Observational study to understand interpreter service use in the emergency medicine: why the key may lie outside of the initial provider assessment

What is it about?

Patients and healthcare workers may not always speak the same language. Based on previous research, the best way to communication with patients who do not speak the same language as their care providers is to use a professionally trained medical interpreter. Many other studies have shown, however, that medical interpreters are often not used, even when they are available. In this study, we followed patients who spoke a different language than their care providers (Spanish in an English speaking country) to understand if/how medical interpreters are used throughout the patients time in an emergency room visit. We found that care providers frequently use professional interpreters at the beginning of the patient's visit during longer conversations. However, for shorter conversations (such as follow-up exams, collecting x-rays, and administering medicine), their use of professional interpreters was much worse. Our results indicate that new strategies may be needed to ensure those who speak another language receive safe and effective communication throughout their visit to emergency rooms.

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