Challenges & Best Practices for Interpreters – Summary from Diversity Rx

Interpreting in Emergency Services: Challenges and Best Practices for Face-to-Face and Telephonic Interpreters

Presenter: Jason Roberson, MA, Cyracom

This presentation focused on Emergency Services encounters and how they present unique challenges for both face-to-face and telephonic medical interpreters. The presenter explained how conditions may force interpreters to push the limits of the National Standards of Practice in order to provide the most complete and accurate interpretation, and offered measures to help ensure maximum effectiveness and the best possible outcome in Emergency Services interpreting.

Key ideas or suggestions for UMHS – ISP

• Challenges for interpreting in the ER setting include
  • Positioning
  • Multiple providers
  • Critical timeframe
  • Flow of communication
  • Background noise
  • Emotional nature of the clients
  • Personal needs of interpreter
  • Understand who does what in a ER trauma – example – recording nurse and the role of the physician in charge
  • The recording nurse is a key point person for the interpreter to know – he/she can be your liaison to the trauma team
  • “Mechanism of injury” – how the injury occurred eg. Fall, auto accident etc.

Related articles

• Diversity Rx Conference – Part I (umhsinterpreterservices.wordpress.com)
• Diversity Rx Conference – Part II (umhsinterpreterservices.wordpress.com)

 

Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Materials and Training Refugee Interpreters

Ensuring Culturally Sensitive and Linguistically Appropriate Materials for a Low-Literate Medicaid/Medicare Population

Presenter: Nai Kasick, L.A. Care Health Plan

• Use of fotonovelas to improve health literacy for Spanish-speaking patients
• You can test your ER IQ http://www.anthem.com/eralt/va/urgentcare.swf – not captioned and in spoken/written English but great simple information about when to go to the ED and also what are other options

Training Refugee Interpreters: A Refugee Resettlement Agency Approach

Presenter: Natalya Mytareva, MA, International Institute of Akron, Inc.

This presentation explored challenges of and approaches to training interpreters who are recently resettled refugees themselves. It discussed the program’s content as well as instruction and assessment methods. The presenter share her successes and lessons learned during the existence of this program.

Key Ideas or suggestions for UMHS-ISP

• Shorter trainings are better – 4 to 5 hour trainings vs all day
• Repeat the foundations of interpreting at each training
• Peer review is helpful
• Between training provide “homework” or self guided study
• Pre and post tests
• When ranking or rating use Low – medium – high vs a numbers scale

Impressions from Diversity Rx – Equitable Mental Health Services

Partnering with Interpreters to Provide Equitable Mental Health Services

Presenter: Marla Lipscomb, MSW, LCSW, Saint Alphonsus CARE-Culturally Appropriate Resources and Education Maternal Child Health Program

This workshop discussed how one of the most influential and critical roles in providing equitable mental health services to LEP populations is the role of the interpreter. It was designed to strengthen knowledge and awareness about the unique skill set that is required of interpreters in the mental health setting.

Key ideas or suggestions for UMHS – ISP

• relationships between therapist, client, interpreter – “triad” is a dynamic opportunity to create safety and build trust
• In order to restore choice and voice for the patient it’s important that :
  • Patient chooses preferred interpreter
  • Interpreter is the same throughout all treatment
  • If there is a change in interpreters, patient needs to be informed before appointment
  • “Heart Language” – the language that was used when the trauma occurred. When talking about the trauma, the patient needs to discuss it using their “heart language”.
  • Trauma is like a slow drip (always there).  It is often triggered in healthcare settings due to cultural misunderstandings.
  • Vicarious Trauma – very common among interpreters of the same immigrant group who have experienced the same trauma in the past and/or have the same traumatic experiences eg; abuse, rape.  Tips for prevention include:
    • Do not sit too close to the trauma survivor when they are telling their story
    • Do not mirror body language of the trauma survivor
    • Speak in the 3^rd person when the survivor is talks about their past

Related articles

• Senator Stabenow spoke about mental health issues in Flint (minbcnews.com)