"It's the difference between life and death": The views of professional medical interpreters on their role in the delivery of safe care to patients with limited English proficiency.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) experience poorer quality care and more adverse events in hospital. Consequently, there is interest in understanding the role of professional medical interpreters in efforts to improve patient safety.

Objective

To describe the views of professional medical interpreters on their role in the delivery of safe patient care.

Design

Qualitative analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews.

Participants

15 professional medical interpreters affiliated with the Healthcare Interpretation Network in Toronto, Canada.

Approach

Participants' views on their role in patient safety were analyzed and organized into themes.

Key results

Professional medical interpreters described being uniquely situated to

SUBMITTER: Wu MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5628836 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature