Satisfaction with Methods of Spanish Interpretation in an Ambulatory Care Clinic

• Published in: Journal of general internal medicine : JGIM 1999-09, Vol.14 (9), p.547-550
• Main Authors: Kuo, David, Fagan, Mark J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambulatory care; Ambulatory Care Facilities - organization & administration; Bilingualism; Biological and medical sciences; Clinics; Communication Barriers; Confidentiality; Data Collection; Female; Hispanic Americans; Humans; Internal medicine; Internship and Residency; interpretation; Interpreters; Language; Male; Medical residencies; Medical sciences; Medicine; Middle Aged; Original; outpatient clinics; Participation; Patient Satisfaction; Physicians; Prevention and actions; Primary care; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Rhode Island; Sex Factors; Specific populations (family, woman, child, elderly...); Translating
• ISSN: 0884-8734; 1525-1497
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.1999.07258.x

OBJECTIVE: To describe the utilization of various methods of language interpretation by Spanish‐speaking patients in an academic medical clinic and to determine patients' and physicians' satisfaction with these methods. METHODS: Survey administered to medical residents and Spanish‐speaking patients asking about their experience and satisfaction with various methods of language interpretation. MAIN RESULTS: Both patients and residents had the highest level of satisfaction for professional interpreters (92.4% vs 96.1% reporting somewhat or very satisfactory, p = .17). In contrast, patients were significantly more satisfied than residents with using family members and friends (85.1% vs 60.8%, p< .01). Physicians and patients agreed that accuracy, accessibility, and respect for confidentiality were highly important characteristics of interpreters (>90% of both groups reporting somewhat or very important). However, patients were more concerned than residents about the ability of the interpreter to assist them after the physician visit (94% vs 45.1%, p< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Using family members and friends as interpreters for Spanish‐speaking patients should be more seriously considered; however, in order to optimize patient satisfaction, differences between patients and providers should be taken into account when using interpretation in medical settings.