The study conducted by Jacobs, Leos, Rathouz, & Fu (2011) addresses the problem of language barriers in the United States and how the health care of those with limited English proficiency (LEP) is affected. The study, titled Shared Networks Of Interpreter Services, At Relatively Low Cost, Can Help Providers Serve Patients With Limited English Skills, aims to shut down the misconception that providing interpreter services is costly. The population studied was a group of California public hospitals, which formed the Health Care Interpreter Network to allow for the use of interpreters through videoconference and telephone. To change the perception that such services are too expensive to provide, the authors intervened by calculating the average
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The videoconferences and telephone calls lasted an average of 10.6 minutes, costing an average of $24.86 per encounter. Compared to the alternatives, such as medical errors and noncompliance, the cost of providing interpreter services is relatively low. In regards to the outcome of the study, it was concluded that many health care administrators and policy makers are unaware of the cost to provide interpretation services. The study will help healthcare facilities budget for and implement such services.
Patterns of Interpreter Use for Hospitalized Patients with Limited English Proficiency is the title of a study conducted by Schenker, Perez-Stable, Nickleach, & Karliner (2011). The study aims to evaluate the use of trained professional interpreters in the hospital. The population studied was hospitalized Spanish and Chinese-speaking LEP patients. The use of trained professional interpreters can improve the quality of care for LEP patients. However, little is known about interpreter use in the hospital. The authors intervened by conducting a …show more content…
The study addresses the language proficiency of bilingual staff members acting as ad hoc interpreters and aims to improve linguistically and culturally appropriate care through a language assessment program. The population studied was dual-role staff interpreters at Golden Valley Health Centers (GVHC). To be culturally and linguistically responsive to the ethnically diverse population that the facility serves, the authors intervened to develop and implement a language proficiency assessment program. The assessment compares the skill level of each staff member. Based on the number of points each staff member scores out of a total of 55, s/he is categorized as basic (0-25), intermediate (26-44), or advanced (45-55). In regards to the outcome, GVHC concluded that the proficiency of bilingual staff is crucial to the effective communication between physicians and LEP patients. As a result, an assessment of language proficiency should be part of the hiring process. However, not all assessments need to be or should be made the
The videoconferences and telephone calls lasted an average of 10.6 minutes, costing an average of $24.86 per encounter. Compared to the alternatives, such as medical errors and noncompliance, the cost of providing interpreter services is relatively low. In regards to the outcome of the study, it was concluded that many health care administrators and policy makers are unaware of the cost to provide interpretation services. The study will help healthcare facilities budget for and implement such services.
Patterns of Interpreter Use for Hospitalized Patients with Limited English Proficiency is the title of a study conducted by Schenker, Perez-Stable, Nickleach, & Karliner (2011). The study aims to evaluate the use of trained professional interpreters in the hospital. The population studied was hospitalized Spanish and Chinese-speaking LEP patients. The use of trained professional interpreters can improve the quality of care for LEP patients. However, little is known about interpreter use in the hospital. The authors intervened by conducting a …show more content…
The study addresses the language proficiency of bilingual staff members acting as ad hoc interpreters and aims to improve linguistically and culturally appropriate care through a language assessment program. The population studied was dual-role staff interpreters at Golden Valley Health Centers (GVHC). To be culturally and linguistically responsive to the ethnically diverse population that the facility serves, the authors intervened to develop and implement a language proficiency assessment program. The assessment compares the skill level of each staff member. Based on the number of points each staff member scores out of a total of 55, s/he is categorized as basic (0-25), intermediate (26-44), or advanced (45-55). In regards to the outcome, GVHC concluded that the proficiency of bilingual staff is crucial to the effective communication between physicians and LEP patients. As a result, an assessment of language proficiency should be part of the hiring process. However, not all assessments need to be or should be made the