title: Working with interpreters during international health responses.
abstract: Health care providers face multiple difficulties in providing care to a disaster-stricken community. Training, preparation, and a good attitude are important, as is adequate logistical support. An often-ignored issue is the difficulty encountered with language barriers during a response, and how using interpreters affects the quality and impact of the health care provided. This article reviews the use of interpreters and focuses on how they may affect an international health care response.
authors.affiliation: Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii , USA. richard.zoraster@coe-dmha.org
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Zoraster
mesh_terms: D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004190:Disasters; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007391:International Cooperation; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007802:Language; D011361:Professional Competence; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods*; D012066:Relief Work