Barriers to and solutions for addressing insufficient professional interpreter use in primary healthcare.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The aim of this nationwide study was to investigate barriers to adequate professional interpreter use and to describe existing initiatives and identify key factors for successful interpreter policies in primary care, using Switzerland as a case study. METHODS:Adult and paediatric primary care providers were invited to participate in an online cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. All accredited regional interpreter agencies were contacted first by email and, in the absence of a reply, by mail and then by phone. Local as well as the national health authorities were asked about existing policies. RESULTS:599 primary care physicians participated. Among other reasons, physicians identified cumbersome organization (58.7%), absent financial coverage (53.7%) and lack of knowledge

SUBMITTER: Jaeger FN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6815061 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature