Language Barriers among Patients in Boston Emergency Departments: Use of Medical Interpreters After Passage of Interpreter Legislation
Language Barriers among Patients in Boston Emergency Departments: Use of Medical Interpreters After Passage of Interpreter Legislation
复制标题
DOI：
10.1007/s10903-008-9188-5
复制
发表时间：
2009-12-01
影响因子：
1.9
通讯作者：
Camargo, Carlos A., Jr.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Ginde, Adit A.;Clark, Sunday;Camargo, Carlos A., Jr.
背景 自 2001 年起，马萨诸塞州法律规定英语水平有限的急诊科 (ED) 患者有权获得专业口译员的帮助。方法 一年后，我们在两个 24 小时期间采访了到波士顿四家急诊室就诊的成年患者。我们评估了语言障碍，并将这种需求与急诊室就诊期间观察到的口译员使用和类型进行了比较。结果 我们采访了 530 名患者（符合条件的 70%），估计 60 名患者（11%；95% 置信区间，7-12%）需要口译员。这些临床遭遇的主要口译员是医生 (30%)、年龄 >= 18 岁的朋友或家人 (22%)、医院口译服务 (15%)、年轻的家庭成员 (11%) 或其他医院工作人员 (17%)。结论 我们发现 11% 的 ED 患者存在明显的语言障碍，但专业医疗口译员的使用率仍然很低。强制准入的立法通过一年后，专业医疗口译员的使用仍然不足。
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 >= 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.