title: The role of the interpreter/doula in the maternity setting.
abstract: Health care organizations often struggle with issues related to communication with patients who have limited English proficiency. Providing quality interpreter services is necessary to comply with regulatory mandates and to provide safe, effective health care. Maternity care presents a unique situation due to the intimate and unpredictable nature of birth. A unique interpreter/doula program in which trained medical interpreters received additional education in labor and postpartum doula skills was tested at a large urban hospital maternity center with a large population of Spanish-speaking patients. Results showed that interpreter/doulas can offer timely, competent care in a variety of maternity situations. They also were cost-effective and associated with increased patient and staff satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: IU Health/Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crawford-Carr
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neidigh
mesh_terms: D003144:Communication Barriers; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D059037:Doulas / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D024382:Professional Role; D014175:Translating