The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3179.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - 12:42 PM

Abstract #68783

Statewide collaboration in the development and delivery of medical interpreter training programs

Edith H. Mas, RN, MSW, MA, Merrimack Valley Area Health Education Center, 34 Haverhill St, Lawerence, MA 01841, 978.685.4860, ediemas@earthlink.net, Lisa Morris, MSTD, Office of Community Programs/Statewide AHEC Program Office, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 222 Maple Avenue, Chang Bldg, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, and Nancy Esparza, Central Massachusetts Area Health Education Center, 4 Lancaster Terrace, Worcester, MA 01602.

Since 1992, Statewide AHEC Medical Interpreter Training Programs have been delivered across Massachusetts through the Office of Community Programs at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in partnership with the Division of Medical Assistance (the state's welfare agency), utilizing the expertise and skills of the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC's). Massachusetts is on the forefront of establishing statewide certification, and vocalizing the necessity of creating uniform standards and a code of ethics for medical interpreters. On July 1, 2002 Massachusetts signed into law the Emergency Room Interpreter Bill as a result of this and similar efforts. This presentation will focus not only on the curriculum of the medical interpreter training program, but also on how it was developed historically. It will also describe more recent collaboration with the Massachusetts Medical Interpreters' Association (MMIA), the Boston Public Health Commission, and the Boston Community Heath Education Center (CHEC) on program enhancements and expansion.

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Embracing Healthcare Access through Language Services

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA