Do professional interpreters improve clinical care for patients with limited English proficiency? A systematic review of the literature.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine if professional medical interpreters have a positive impact on clinical care for limited English proficiency (LEP) patients.

Data sources

A systematic literature search, limited to the English language, in PubMed and PsycINFO for publications between 1966 and September 2005, and a search of the Cochrane Library.

Study design

Any peer-reviewed article which compared at least two language groups, and contained data about professional medical interpreters and addressed communication (errors and comprehension), utilization, clinical outcomes, or satisfaction were included. Of 3,698 references, 28 were found by multiple reviewers to meet inclusion criteria and, of these, 21 assessed professional interpreters separately from ad hoc interpreters. Data

SUBMITTER: Karliner LS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1955368 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature