Overcoming the language barrier: a novel curriculum for training medical students as volunteer medical interpreters

Abstract

Background Over 41 million people in the United States speak Spanish as their primary language, of which 16 million have limited English proficiency (LEP). It is well-established that language barriers contribute to health disparities and that the use of ad-hoc interpretation by untrained family members results in substandard care. We developed a novel interpreter training program for medical students to serve as in-person interpreters at a charitable, resident continuity clinic so as to overcome the language barrier in the delivery of healthcare to LEP patients. Methods The Medical Student Interpreter Training Program (MSITP) consists of three steps. First, fluent Spanish-speaking students shadowed a licensed interpreter. Second, students took a standardized phone exam to demonstrate language proficiency. Finally, students completed a three-hour training on the methodology and ethics of interpreting conducted by the Department of Interpreter Services. Results Pre- and post-tests were administered to assess students’ familiarity with the Interpreter Code of Ethics and interpreter skills. Familiarity with the Interpreter Code of Ethics increased significantly with all students reporting feeling comfortable (47%) or very comfortable (53%) after training. The pre- and post-tests included free response questions, which were administered to assess competence in the methodology and ethics of interpreting. The cohort’s aggregate score increased by 35% after the training (Wilcoxon signed rank z-score = 2.53; p = .01). Conclusions Implementing the MSITP resulted in an increased number of trained, Spanish-speaking interpreters available to provide their services to LEP patients at an affiliated charitable clinic and throughout the university hospital. Unlike other program models which are time and resource-intensive, this program is replicable and easily managed by volunteers. The MSITP is an effective model for training students as medical interpreters to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare for LEP patients.

Prohibiting Babel - A call for professional remote interpreting services in pre-operation anaesthesia information

“…We strongly recommend raising awareness, improving guidelines, teaching (66) and, importantly, adopting structures and processes in the healthcare setting to overcome language barriers. Physicians sometimes face conflicting interests in their established healthcare routines.…”

Role of Medical Students as Interpreters in Bridging Language Barriers across Academic Healthcare Centers: Scoping Review

“…This review identified five medical interpretation training programs developed for medical trainees. 15,21,[34][35][36] The existing training programs vary in structure, duration, content, and assessment/evaluation. Information on these five training programs has been summarized inTable 2.…”

“…These methods can be compared to current competency-based evaluations in medical curricula. Assessments and observations are performed by professional interpreters or bilingual physicians 15,35,36 Moreover, additional certification in medical interpretation upon completion of the standard training is offered as an option to pursue by two of the programs. 15,21 None of the studies measured transfer of learning, which is defined as one's capacity to apply learned skills in a new setting.…”

Dual‐role nurse interpreter perceptions of language barriers and Spanish‐speaking patients: A qualitative study

“…Effective communication skills are necessary for health care professionals to deliver inclusive culturally competent care and begin to dismantle health disparities based on language. Language barriers encountered in health care settings by language discordant health care providers are detrimental to patients and their families, affecting the way patients communicate their health care needs to their health care providers and the way health care providers determine treatment for their patients (Artiga et al, 2021;Bau et al, 2019;Carlson et al, 2022).…”

“…Effective communication skills are necessary for health care professionals to deliver inclusive culturally competent care and begin to dismantle health disparities based on language. Language barriers encountered in health care settings by language discordant health care providers are detrimental to patients and their families, affecting the way patients communicate their health care needs to their health care providers and the way health care providers determine treatment for their patients (Artiga et al, 2021 ; Bau et al, 2019 ; Carlson et al, 2022 ). When there is a language barrier present between the health care provider and the patient, patients receive less information about the therapeutic regimen, understand less of the medication instructions, are less likely to keep follow‐up appointments and are more likely to make emergency room visits than patients without a language barrier (Shiro & Reeves, 2020 ; Stephen & Zoucha, 2020 ).…”