Healthcare staffs perceptions of using interpreters: a qualitative study

Emina Hadziabdic, B. Albin, Kristiina Heikkilä, K. Hjelm
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引用次数: 39

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to describe how healthcare professionals experience and perceive the use of interpreters in their contacts with patients with whom they do not share a common language. Background Language barriers lead to poor-quality care and fewer medical contacts. To avoid language barriers and their consequences, interpreters are recommended. However, communicating through an interpreter can be difficult. To develop effective interpreter service it is important to study healthcare staff’s perceptions of using an interpreter. Methods An explorative descriptive study design was used. The study was conducted in different healthcare settings in Sweden and included 24 healthcare staff, of whom 11 were physicians, 9 nurses, 2 physiotherapists and 2 assistant nurses. Data were generated through written descriptions of the use of interpreters in healthcare service and were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings Two main categories emerged from the data: 1) aspects related to the interpreter and 2) organizational aspects. The study showed that having a face-to-face, professional, trained interpreter, with a good knowledge of both languages and of medical terminology, translating literally and objectively, was perceived positively. The organizational aspects that affected the perception were functioning or non-functioning technical equipment, calm in the interpretation environment, documentation of the patients’ language ability, respect for the appointed time, and the level of availability and service provided by the interpreter agency. It is important to develop a well-functioning interpreter organization that offers trained interpreters with a professional attitude to improve and ensure cost-effective and high-quality encounters and care.
卫生保健人员对使用口译员的看法:一项定性研究
目的本研究的目的是描述医疗保健专业人员在与患者接触时如何体验和感知口译员的使用,他们与患者没有共同的语言。语言障碍导致低质量的护理和更少的医疗接触。为了避免语言障碍及其后果,建议使用口译员。然而,通过口译员进行交流可能会很困难。为了发展有效的口译服务,重要的是要研究医护人员对使用口译的看法。方法采用探索性描述性研究设计。该研究在瑞典不同的卫生保健机构进行,包括24名卫生保健人员,其中11名是医生,9名护士,2名物理治疗师和2名助理护士。通过对医疗服务中口译人员使用情况的书面描述生成数据,并使用定性内容分析对数据进行分析。从数据中出现了两个主要类别:1)与口译员相关的方面和2)组织方面。研究表明,拥有一名面对面、训练有素、精通两种语言和医学术语的专业口译员,按字面和客观地进行翻译,被认为是积极的。影响感知的组织方面是功能正常或不正常的技术设备,口译环境中的平静,患者语言能力的记录,对指定时间的尊重,以及翻译机构提供的可用性和服务水平。重要的是要建立一个运作良好的口译机构,提供训练有素的口译人员,以专业的态度来改善和确保具有成本效益和高质量的接触和护理。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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