Interpretation for discussions about end-of-life issues: results from a National Survey of Health Care Interpreters.
BACKGROUND
Communication about end-of-life issues is difficult across language barriers. Little is known about the experience of health care interpreters in these discussions.


OBJECTIVE
Objectives of this study were to: 1) assess the experiences of healthcare interpreters when interpreting discussions about end-of-life issues; 2) identify interpreter characteristics and experiences that may be associated with improved satisfaction and comfort with interpreting these discussions; and 3) describe interpreter training needs.


METHODS
The study utilized an electronically administered survey distributed nationally to health care interpreters in the United States. One hundred and forty-two health care interpreters participated. Measurements included general experiences, attitudes, and perceived training needs when interpreting discussions about end-of-life issues.


RESULTS
Most respondents had received a certificate in interpretation (71%, 101/142), completed more than 40 hours of training (89%, 127/142), and had more than 5 years of interpreting experience (65%, 93/142). Overall, 85% (121/142) of respondents had interpreted discussions about end-of-life issues and most interpreted multiple discussions per week. Of those interpreters who had experience with these discussions, the majority (85%, 103/121) reported feeling comfortable, but only half (48%, 58/121) reported that these discussions usually went well. Interpreters who felt clear about their role were more likely than interpreters who did not feel clear about their role to think that discussions went well (51% [57/112] versus 11% [1/9], p=0.02) and to feel comfortable interpreting (88% [98/112] versus 56% [5/9], p=0.01). Eighty percent (97/121) of respondents with experience in end-of-life discussions were personally interested in more specific training for these discussions. Attitudes and perceived training needs did not differ by interpreter demographics or qualifications.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of interpreters have experience with end-of-life discussions but, independent of interpreter training and experience, only half report that these discussions usually go well. Interpreters want and may benefit from targeted educational interventions that could improve the quality of care for vulnerable patients and families in these difficult situations. Health systems and interpreter certification programs should incorporate specific training on how to interpret discussion about end-of-life issues.
Division of General Internal Medicine, Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. schenkery@upmc.edu
Yael
Y
Schenker
Alicia
A
Fernandez
Kathleen
K
Kerr
David
D
O'Riordan
Steven Z
SZ
Pantilat
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology; D003144:Communication Barriers; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*; D014175:Translating; D014481:United States