Overcoming language barriers, enhancing collaboration with interpreters – an interprofessional learning intervention (Interpret2Improve)

Abstract

Background Language barriers (LB) are common in patient care. They can negatively impact the quality of care, and increase costs. LB can be overcome by using interpreters. However, collaboration with interpreters is a professional activity which can and needs to be learnt. Interpret2Improve is an innovative educational intervention where medical and nursing students learn together how to address LB and effectively collaborate with interpreters. Methods The three-hour course has two parts: After a short introduction on the relevance of LB and resulting issues of patient safety etc., students in interprofessional teams of two practice conversations with non-German-speaking simulated patients and professional interpreters. The course is evaluated in a pre-post format with the Freiburg Questionnaire for Interprofessional Learning Evaluation which has been validated in prior studies. Results Fifty-one students (thirty of the participants were medical students, 21 participants were students in nursing care) participated from 11/2016–07/2018. Overall, the course was very well received (mean 1.73 (SD 0.85) on a five point scale: 1 = very good, 5 = insufficient). The evaluation by medical and nursing students differed significantly. Fourteen out of twenty-one items show a self-assessed increase in interprofessional knowledge or skills. Conclusions Students felt that their skills in addressing LB by effectively collaborating with interpreters increased during this interprofessional format. Further studies are needed to obtain further evidence beyond self-assessment and regarding the long-term outcomes.

Quality and safety issue: language barriers in healthcare, a qualitative study of non-Arab healthcare practitioners caring for Arabic patients in the UAE

“…27 This highlights the importance of having access to interpreters and understanding how to effectively work with them to ensure accurate communication and understanding between healthcare practitioners and patients who do not speak a shared language. 18 28 A previous study found that using professional interpreters who were present at the location was a frequently suggested solution for overcoming language barriers in healthcare settings. [27][28][29] However, the use of professional interpreters may vary by the type of healthcare professional and clinical situation.…”

“…18 28 A previous study found that using professional interpreters who were present at the location was a frequently suggested solution for overcoming language barriers in healthcare settings. [27][28][29] However, the use of professional interpreters may vary by the type of healthcare professional and clinical situation. 27 29 Participants occasionally relied on patients' family members or bilingual staff as interpreters, even though they may lack proficiency in medical terminology, potentially side-lining professional interpreters.…”

Cooperative Learning, Method, Strategy, and Its Importance in Language Learning: Arabic Language as a Model

“…This study explores the influence of teachers' age on implementing CPBL when teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and determines teachers' perceptions, views and attitudes Regarding this methodology. Krampe et al (2022) Te aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the collaborative learning module and to evaluate its effect from the learners' perspectives.…”

“…The samples included students, teachers, and children of all ages. However, 16 studies found in favour of students (López Oterino, 2022;Panhwar & Melanie, 2022;Flynn et al, 2022); Namusoke & Rukundo, 2022;Krampe et al, 2022;Liu et al, 2022;Angeliki, 2022;Markoglou and Angeliki, 2022); Lázaro-Carrascosa et al, 2021;Carmona-Medeiro and Cardeñoso Domingo, 2021;Martín et al, 2020;Kadam & Sawant, 2020;Balbay, 2019;Dominique et. al., 2018;Ward et al, 2017;Gachago et al, 2011).…”

“…The research methods used in previous studies varied, as each used its own method based on the type of study, the circumstances of its conduct, and the criterion used in it; however, the majority (sixe) employed the "mixed method" ) Abdul Hameed Panhwar & Melanie, 2022; Krampe et al, 2022;Carmona-Medeiro et al, 2021;Wium & Louw, 2012;Gachago et al, 2011;Strasheim, 2010). In there studies (López Oterino ،2022; Edith Namusoke & Aloysius Rukundo ،2022; Lázaro-Carrascosa, et al, 2021;Sagahutu et al, 2021;Martín et al, 2020;Kadam & Sawant, 2020) were use experiments and Semi-experimental methodes.…”