Use of interpreters by physicians treating limited English proficient women with breast cancer: results from the provider survey of the Los Angeles Women's Health Study.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about how cancer physicians communicate with limited English proficient (LEP) patients. We studied physician-reported use and availability of interpreters.


METHODS
A 2004 survey was fielded among physicians identified by a population-based sample of breast cancer patients. Three hundred and forty-eight physicians completed mailed surveys (response rate: 77 percent) regarding the structure and organization of care.


METHODS
We used logistic regression to analyze use and availability of interpreters.


RESULTS
Most physicians reported treating LEP patients. Among physicians using interpreters within the last 12 months, 42 percent reported using trained medical interpreters, 21 percent telephone interpreter services, and 75 percent reported using untrained interpreters to communicate with LEP patients. Only one-third of physicians reported good availability of trained medical interpreters or telephone interpreter services when needed. Compared with HMO physicians, physicians in solo practice and single-specialty medical groups were less likely to report using trained medical interpreters or telephone interpreter services, and they were less likely to report good availability of these services.


CONCLUSIONS
There were important practice setting differences predicting use and availability of trained medical interpreters and telephone interpretation services. These findings may have troubling implications for effective physician-patient communication critically needed during cancer treatment.
Rose
Danielle E
DE
VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Provider Behavior, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 16111 Plummer Street (152), Sepulveda, CA 91343-2036, USA. droseash@gmail.c
Tisnado
Diana M
DM
Malin
Jennifer L
JL
Tao
May L
ML
Maggard
Melinda A
MA
Adams
John
J
Ganz
Patricia A
PA
Kahn
Katherine L
KL
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014175:Translating