Present Situation and Problems Associated with Medical Interpreters: A Study of Medical Communication of Foreign Residents in Japan

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In this study, a survey was conducted to identify communication problems occurring between foreign residents in Japan and medical staff. The results were used to discuss the future prospects of medical interpreters. Responses from the survey revealed that foreign patient anxiety primarily resulted from not fully understanding the explanation given to them in a medical setting. This finding highlights the need to ensure foreign patients are provided with reliable, accurate information.Results from this study showed that both Japanese medical staff and foreign residents have an expectation that medical interpreters should be available. Future improvements to the utilization of medical interpreters in large urban areas, which already have a medical interpreter dispatch system in place, are quite different from regional areas where there are fewer foreign residents. In regional areas, it will be necessary to provide and improve support according to their growing needs.