Chapter 1 - The Basic Purpose of the Medical Healthcare Interpreter

Question 1

What are the Benefits of Professional Healthcare Interpreting Services?

Answer 1

1. Fewer errors and reduced patient risk
2. Reduced volume and complexity of diagnostic test
3. Increased quality of healthcare, patient satisfaction and outcome
4. Improved disease management
5. Improved patient compliance with treatment plans and self-care
6. Improved provider and staff productivity
7. Increased federal and state regulatory compliance (14 standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)

Question 2

What does LEP stand for?

Answer 2

A Limited English Proficient person

Question 3

What are LEP patients often challenged by?

Answer 3

1. Difficulty communicating their medical histories and understanding healthcare instructions
2. Difficulty asking questions about their condition and care
3. Inadequate interpreting services, which can have particularly serious consequences for those with mental disorders
4. Medical decisions made for them without their knowledge, understanding, and consent
5. Higher costs because of expensive, otherwise avoidable medical testing
6. Higher costs because of under-utilized, less-expensive preventive healthcare services
7. Providers who have difficulty understanding cultural observances that may affect their treatment
8. Providers who may avoid them because of liability fears
9. Providers who are unfamiliar with cultural norms and power structure

Question 4

What are the three basic rules of healthcare interpreting?

Answer 4

1. Don’t omit words
2. Don’t add something that was not said
3. Don’t change the meaning of words (inadvertently)

Question 5

What must a healthcare interpreter know?

Answer 5

1. Medical terminology
2. Confidentiality
3. Ethics
4. HIPAA

Question 6

What are the roles of a healthcare interpreter?

Answer 6

1. Reliability
2. Completeness
3. Accuracy
4. Cultural Appropriateness