Implementing a medical student interpreter training program as a strategy to developing humanism

Abstract

BackgroundHumanistic care in medicine has shown to improve healthcare outcomes. Language barriers are a significant obstacle to humanistic care, and trained medical interpreters have demonstrated to effectively bridge the gap for the vulnerable limited English proficiency (LEP) patient population. One way in which medical schools can train more humanistic physicians and provide language access is through the implementation of programs to train bilingual medical students as medical interpreters. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate whether such training had an impact on bilingual medical student’s interpretation skills and humanistic traits.MethodsBetween 2015 and 2017, whole-day (~ 8 h) workshops on medical interpretation were offered periodically to 80 bilingual medical students at the Penn State College of Medicine. Students completed a series of questionnaires before and after the training that assessed the program’s effectiveness and its overall impact on interpretation skills and humanistic traits. Students also had the opportunity to become certified medical interpreters.ResultsThe 80 student participants were first- to third- year medical students representing 21 languages. Following training, most students felt more confident interpreting (98%) and more empathetic towards LEP patients (87.5%). Students’ scores in the multiple-choice questions about medical interpretation/role of the interpreter were also significantly improved (Chi-Square test, p < 0.05). All students who decided to take the exam were able to successfully become certified interpreters. Ninety-two percent of participants reported they would recommend the program and would be willing to serve as a future “coaches” for interpreter training workshops delivered to peer students.ConclusionsOur program was successful in increasing self-reported measures of empathy and humanism in medical students. Our data suggests that implementation of medical interpreter training programs can be a successful strategy to develop of humanism in medical students, and aid in the development of sustainable language access for LEP patients.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12909-018-1254-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A systematic scoping review of approaches to teaching and assessing empathy in medicine

“…Group discussions on personal experiences [ 71 , 101 , 115 ] and/or simulated scenarios including role play and simulated patients [ 16 , 47 , 57 , 65 ] facilitate analysis of empathy [ 115 ] and shared experiences [ 63 ]. Role play has been found to boost participants’ confidence in communication [ 44 , 118 , 142 , 144 ]. The use of the arts and humanities including poetry and literature [ 49 , 57 , 83 , 136 , 139 ], drawings and paintings [ 16 , 43 , 59 , 83 , 136 , 139 ], reflective writing [ 49 , 83 , 136 , 139 ], cultural studies and history [ 16 ], film [ 16 ], photography [ 59 ], and comics [ 5 ] have also shown to increase self-awareness and reflection [ 59 ].…”

“…Twenty one of the 29 studies that focused upon Level 3 of Kirkpatrick’s Hierarchy focused on general communication skills training. Fifteen of these studies employed role play, simulations and/or patient interviews to encourage communication skills [ 7 , 40 , 46 , 50 , 58 , 64 , 88 , 91 , 111 , 115 – 117 , 120 , 125 , 143 ] in a safe practice space [ 7 , 9 , 44 , 62 , 115 , 147 ].…”

Who Wants to Translate? Evaluation of a Novel Medical Mandarin Education Program for and by Pre-Clerkship Medical Students

“…Furthermore, students developed an appreciation for difficulties faced by English as Second Language patients beyond Mandarin speakers. Likewise, the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine found medical students -representing 21 languages -felt more confident interpreting and more empathetic towards LEP following completion of a condensed, certified interpreter training program (Vargas Pelaez et al, 2018).…”

Healing starts with understanding: Addressing language barriers in patient care through medical student interpreters

“…To reiterate, barrier to quality communication increases chances of misunderstanding, negatively impacts the thoroughness of health investigations, and can undoubtedly lead patients to lose control of their health. These issues are mainly due to poor patient education, poor compliance, lower patient satisfaction, lack of safety, and negative clinical experiences (7,8). Consequently, there is a stark increase in health disparities, and this already marginalized population is at a heightened level of vulnerability.…”