Medical Interpreters Are Needed To Assist With Discharge Instructions

Medical Interpreters are needed in the healthcare industry primarily to increase positve treatment outcomes (access) for LEP (limited English proficiency) patients.  However, treatment is never complete unless the outcomes of said treatment is a positve one.  LEP patient understanding of discharge instructions is pivotal in completing the treatment process.

Healthcare providers are constantly revisiting this topic in order to increase the positve outcomes when treating LEP patients. The Medical Interpreter is the key to increasing the treatment outcomes for LEP patients after discharge from a healthcare facility.  However, hospital staff and interpreters must work together to insure that discharge instructions are understood.  In addition,  both parties must work together to followup with patients after being discharged from the healthcare facility.

Studies point to the need for continued work where discharge instructions is concerned.  Patient understanding and follow through is extremely important and related to increasing positive treatment outcomes.  Healthcare providers must do more and involve the Medical Interpreter in the process of developing new strategies for addressing this issue.

The following is the outcome of a study related to the understanding of discharge instructions by LEP patients. Please review it and share the data. I'm certain you will agree that new strategies are needed.

Language barriers and understanding of hospital discharge instructions.

Karliner LS, Auerbach A, Nápoles A, Schillinger D, Nickleach D, Pérez-Stable EJ.

Source

Department of Medicine, Medical Effectiveness Research Center for Diverse Populations, Division of General Internal Medicine, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Effective communication at hospital discharge is necessary for an optimal transition and to avoid adverse events. We investigated the association of a language barrier with patient understanding of discharge instructions.

METHODS:

Spanish-speaking, Chinese-speaking, and English-speaking patients admitted to 2 urban hospitals between 2005 and 2008, comparing patient understanding of follow-up appointment type, and medication category and purpose between limited English-proficient (LEP) and English-proficient patients.

RESULTS:

Of the 308 patients, 203 were LEP. Rates of understanding were low overall for follow-up appointment type (56%) and the 3 medication outcomes (category 48%, purpose 55%, both 41%). In unadjusted analysis, LEP patients were less likely than English-proficient patients to know appointment type (50% vs. 66%; P=0.01), medication category (45% vs. 54%; P=0.05), and medication category and purpose combined (38% vs. 47%; P=0.04), but equally likely to know medication purpose alone. These results persisted in the adjusted models for medication outcomes: LEP patients had lower odds of understanding medication category (odds ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.95); and category/purpose (odds ratio 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS:

Understanding of appointment type and medications after discharge was low, with LEP patients demonstrating worse understanding of medications. System interventions to improve communication at hospital discharge for all patients, and especially those with LEP, are needed.

PMID:

 

22411441

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

PMCID:

 

PMC3311126

 [Available on 2013/4/1]

Publication Types, MeSH Terms, Grant Support

Translations

Interpreters are often requested to translate written documents from one language to another. This is not a task for those without experience. It is very difficult and requires a knowledge of both the written and target language at at least a college level.  However, not just in one language but in both.  This comes only through formal study and lots of practice.

Even when one is a very good interpreter one can still be a very bad translator.  So it is recommended that before one embarks on this type of endeavor that one take several courses prior.  Or you can train with a professional who can teach a guide you through the development phase.

Now if you are currently employed as an interpreter and there is a person who has that skill in your office.  They can mentor you so that you can develop this skill slowly.  They can assign you small translation assignments and review it with you once completed to discuss how the translation can be improved and correct any errors.  Another approach would be to assign more than one person to translate a document and review it with both parties. These are just a few practical ways to develop this skill.  However, be forewarned, it takes many years to become a proficient translator.

Assignment Preparation

As medical interpreters you may be assigned to or hired for a particular job. For instance you may need to provide coverage for a clinic such as Pediatric Cardiology, TB or Chest Clinic, Pediatric Neurology, Breast Biopsy, or a whole host of others.  These assignments present particular challenges for interpreters.  

Knowledge of terminology in theses particular areas is just a start in the proficient performance of your duties.  In fact, you must understand in detail the process or procedures that are to be performed in these clinics. Personal experience has demonstrated a real need for knowledge and preparation prior to performing these assignments.  Keeping up with the dialogue may be extremely difficult if one lacks the knowledge or has not prepared.  You can use informational pamphlets to prepare or go online and edify yourself using one or more of the many resources available to the public on health topics.

So prepare for each assignment prior to performing the duties.  Remember that you will leave a lasting impression on the provider and patient.  You want this impression to be a positive and professional one.  Your ability to perform well during these assignments may determine whether or not you"ll be called back for additional assignments.  If you work for an organization a poor performance may have a negative impact on the ability of the organization to attain future contracts with health organizations.  This will affect your earnings, as well as, theirs.

Job Opening

North Shore Medical Center, Lynn, MA is looking for Medical Interpreters.  These positions are Per Diem, and for rotating shifts. Meaning that one week you may work the first shift and another week the second shift and so on.

If you are interested in this position you can contact North Shore Medical Center Human Resources Department or visit www.indeed.com.  In the search window type in the title of position and the city, click search.  The position will be shown on screen, just select and follow instructions on how to apply.

Good Luck!

Medical Interpreter Job Satisfaction Survey

Medical Interpreters are employed in many different environments.  Hospitals, medical clinics, doctors offices, and even government agencies such as the Social Security Administration are among the employers.

The field of medical interpreting is very competitive and medical interpreters are moving around from employer to employer for different reasons.  Pay and benefits are the two most common reasons why medical interpreters leave one employer for another.

Help us to determine how satisfied you are with your current employer by taking our Medical Interpreter Job Satisfaction Survey.  The information you provide is confidential and will help us to improve the content of this blog.

This is the link to the survey:  http://ealcollazo.polldaddy.com/s/interpreter-job-satisfaction-survey  Thank you very much for taking time out to respond to this survey.

Medical Terminology

Here are a few more words translated into Spanish.

Addison's Disease = Enfermedad de Addison's
Electrolytes = Electrolitos
Fasting = En Ayunas
Hypothalamus = Hypotalamo
Radioactive Iodine = Yodo Radioactivo
Bone Density = Densidad Osea

I will post some more shortly.

Professional Organizations

Many professions have professional organizations that they subscribe to in order to network with others in their field. These organizations are membership based and run. They are a source of forums, conventions, seminars and workshops.  Some of the most popular are the American Medical Association, the Bar Association and alike. Membership in these organizations is vital for professionals to stay connected and informed of industry nuances, technologies, and statutory changes.

Medical Interpreters have several organizations that they can subscribe to.  The two most popular are the International Medical Interpreters Association and the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care. Both are very good organizations for interpreters to stay in tune with industry changes.  Also, they are who an interpreter would contact to attain national interpreter certification testing.

Both organizations have websites with loads of information and have annual conventions. At these conventions one can participate in workshops, meetings, and more.  You can sign up for membership online and take advantage of all they have to offer.  If you really want to get involved you can even join a committee or run for a position on their board of directors.

If you are a Medical Interpreter it is recommended that you join one of these professional organizations.  Get involved in what is going on in the field of Medical Interpreting.  Offer your ideas and thoughts and help influence positive change in our industry.

Preparing for National Certification Written Exam

In preparation for the National Medical Interpreters Certification Exam medical interpreters will have to know and understand the IMIA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice,  NCIHC Standards of Practice, CHIA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.  In addition to this the exam will include medical terminology in English, this will include medical specialties.  You will be required to translate passages from written medical documents into your target language.  Also, there are scenarios that you will have to respond to.  The NCIHC has a manual on there website that explains the whole process and has some examples of the questions on the written exam.  If you would like to review this document visit www.ncihc.org then select certification from their menu.


If you want more information or would like to register for this exam go to the International Medical Interpreters Association website www.imiaweb.org or the National Council on Interpreters in Health Care website www.ncihc.org.  Both these professional interpreter organizations are offering the National Certification Exam.  However, be advised the exams are not exactly alike. this is to say that the format used is different for each one.  So review each of the exam requirements and content carefully then decide which one is best for you.

Become a Certified Medical Interpreter.

Congratulations

I would like to take this opportunity to Congratulate Liz La Borne of Lawrence General Hospital for passing the National Interpreter Certification Exam.

Congratulations Liz!!

Job Openings

Brigham an Women's Hospital in Boston is looking for a Patient/Family Relations Specialist.  They prefer a bilingual applicant.

The Cambridge Health Alliance is looking for a medical Interpreter.  This is an overnight position.

If you are interested in any of these positions go to http://www.indeed.com/lobs and enter the title or position, followed by Boston for the city.  You will see both positions on the selection screen.  Choose the desired position then follow the steps for applying.

Good Luck on your job search!!