Report on Research Project -Access through Medical Interpreter and Language ServicesBackground: This study was conducted by the New York Task Force on Immigrant Health, New York University School of Medicine, Division of Primary Care. The ultimate goal of the project was to create a comprehensive medical interpreter network in New York City. To accomplish this the project first conducted an analysis of established medical interpreter programs across the country. In the fall of 1995, site visits were conducted in: California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. Telephone interviews were conducted in Florida and Washington State. In addition a language needs assessment of New York City health care facilities was conducted. Established Medical Interpreter Programs:This project first analyzed established medical interpreter programs to identify the best features of each and to determine the feasibility of replicating these features. The factors assessed were:
Some of the problems addressed were:
Impact of Managed Care:The project also assessed the impact that managed care might have on linguistic access to health care. Concerns raised included:
The objective should be to ensure that language appropriate services are available at all points of managed care service delivery. With new managed care laws states could add language access requirements into their managed care contracts. Developing an Interpreter Program:The research found that motivation to develop an interpreter program is often shaped by:
There are a broad range of approaches to meet the needs of a multi-lingual patient population. Common components include:
Of these options, hiring bilingual providers is the preferred approach in terms of safety and cost-efficiency. The least cost-effective method is a commercial telephone interpreter service or language bank such as that run by AT@T. Training/Screening Interpreters:Interpreting and interpreters need to be taken more seriously. They are often under utilized and under publicized. In the training and screening of interpreters, the following characteristics should be noted:
Any trainer in this area should be a person who has actually translated in a health care setting, has a solid grasp of techniques needed for effective interpreting, and be an effective teacher. Trends:Emerging trends are:
Regarding cost arrangements, the trends are:
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