Medical Interpretation Resource Guide

Training

How do I assure that interpreters, health professionals and other staff have the skills to communicate with Limited English Speakers/non English speakers and deaf or hard of hearing individuals?
It is important that organizations consider the qualifications of the interpreters providing service to their patients. Although NH does not currently have a certification or licensure process for interpreters, there are ways to assure the interpreter is qualified to perform services. Language proficiency testing in English and the target language(s) is crucial in determining whether the interpreter has the linguistic skills required for adequately communicating health information. Some organizations have developed hiring processes which incorporate a written and oral language proficiency assessment with role-play scenarios to determine an interpreter's qualifications. Training programs that incorporate elements of triadic communication, ethics, and medical terminology will best prepare interpreters for working in the medical setting. Ongoing professional development opportunities would also reinforce interpreter's competence. Sign language interpreters complete national certification exams and are licensed in the State of NH.

For health care providers and other staff, it is important to have an understanding of how to work with interpreters, to have the capacity to be non-judgmental in coming into contact with differing health beliefs, and to have respect for others. It is crucial that staff understand how to implement the policies and procedures related to providing language access.

Does your organization...?

• Provide opportunities for staff to learn about other cultures?
• Train staff on in-house procedures for obtaining interpretation whether it be via phone, video or face to face?
• Explain how to assess an individual's need for an interpreter?
• Describe conditions whereby a patients' family member may or may not be used as an interpreter?
• Provide feedback to staff about cultural sensitivity?
• Explain procedures for staff to instruct patients about their rights to an interpreter and the appropriate documentation for refusal of an interpreter?

Resources

• Proficiency Testing and "Bridging the Gap 54-hour Medical Interpreter Training" Contact Florentina Dinu at 603-895-1514 ext. 5 or www.snhahec.org
• New England Trained Interpreters Association, NETIA contact Inna Volinkski at innal@comast.net or website at www.netiaonline.org. 
• Cultural Competency Training, NH Minority Health Coalition 603-627-7703 or www.nhhealthequity.org
• Cultural Imperative, Newton, MA, culturalimperative@earthlink.net
• Cross Cultural Health Care Program, Seattle, WA, 206-860-0329, http://www.xculture.org
• The Provider's Guide to Quality and Culture, http://erc.msh.org
• Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association, www.mmia.org
• National Council on Interpreting in Health Care Linguistically Appropriate Access & Services, An Evaluation & Review for Health Care Organizations, June 2002 www.ncihc.org
• National Council on Interpreting in Health Care Linguistically Appropriate Access & Services, "A National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care, July 2004 www.ncihc.org
• Cultural Competency in Medicine, AMSA www.amsa.org/programs/gpit/cultural.cfm
• Bridging the Cultural Divide in Health Care Settings, The Essential Role of Cultural Broker Programs, National Center for Cultural Broker Programs, National Center for Cultural Competence Spring/Summer 2004, htpp://gucchd.georgetown.edu/ncce
• Physician Perspectives on Communication Barriers, Lake Snell Perry & Associates for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, March 2004, www.hablamosjuntos.org/pdf-files/LSP.Report.Finalpdf.
• Missing persons: Minorities in the Health professions, A report of the Sullivan Commission on Diversity in the Health Care Workforce www.sullivancommission.org
• Quality Interactions: A Patient-Based Approach to Cross-Cultural Care www.criticalmeasures.net/cross
• Bibliography for Medical Interpreting, Culture Med, www.sunyitedu/library
• A Model & Instrument for Addressing Cultural Competence in Health Care, Josepha Campinha - Bacote, PhD, RN, CS, CNS, CTN, FAAN Journal of Nursing Education, May 1999. Vol. 38, NOS.
• Assuring Cultural Competence in Health Care: Recommendations for National Standards and an outcome-focused Research Agenda., www.omhrc.gov/clas
• Defining Competency in Medical Interpreting, www.diversityrx.org/html/roppe.htm
• A Family Physician's Practical Guide to Culturally Competency Care. USDHHS, Office of Minority Health , http://cccm.thinkculturalhealth.org
• Kaiser Permanente/California Endowment - Clinical Cultural Competency Video Series 323-259-4776