Impact of interpreters on breast and cervical health care access for Thai and Vietnamese patients

Studies show that limited English proficient (LEP) patients who do not use trained medical interpreters have less access to quality health care services and experience more adverse health consequences than English speaking patients. Unfortunately, little data exists on the factors that discourage, motivate, enable, and/or support access to interpretation services for underserved Southeast Asian communities. This pilot study used a community-based participatory action research approach, ecological framework, and mixed-methods to assess the effect of having trained bicultural health care interpreters on the use of, and satisfaction with, cancer control services for LEP Thai and Vietnamese women in Southern California.

Trained community interviewers conducted a survey and qualitative phone interviews with 100 LEP Thai and Vietnamese women recruited from patient databases to compare the experiences of those who had used trained professional health care interpreters to those who had not used trained interpreters.

Most patients overwhelmingly expressed the need and desire for professional trained health care interpreters. Those who had trained interpreters also reported greater satisfaction with care. Respondents expressed that the qualities of an “ideal” interpreter went beyond language fluency and medical interpretation to include issues of trust, emotional support, and knowledge of how to “navigate” the health care system.

We will share detailed study findings and feedback from community forums held to discuss the results. Community members indicated that more research on interpretation services would be welcomed, more awareness and utilization of programs offering professional interpretation services are needed, and development of policies to sustain these programs is essential.