Language barriers among patients in Boston emergency departments: use of medical interpreters after passage of interpreter legislation. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Since 2001, Massachusetts state law dictates that emergency department (ED) patients with limited English proficiency have the right to a professional interpreter. METHODS: One year later, for two 24-h periods, we interviewed adult patients presenting to four Boston EDs. We assessed language barriers and compared this need with the observed use and type of interpreter during the ED visit. RESULTS: We interviewed 530 patients (70% of eligible) and estimated that an interpreter was needed for 60 (11%; 95% confidence interval, 7-12%) patients. The primary interpreter for these clinical encounters was a physician (30%), friend or family member age >or=18 years (22%), hospital interpreter services (15%), younger family member (11%), or other hospital staff (17%). CONCLUSIONS: We found that 11% of ED patients had significant language barriers, but use of professional medical interpreters remained low. One year after passage of legislation mandating access, use of professional medical interpreters remained inadequate.

publication date

  • September 23, 2008

Research

keywords

  • Communication Barriers
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Language
  • Translating

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC3469318

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 70449535880

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s10903-008-9188-5

PubMed ID

  • 18810638

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 11

issue

  • 6