title: Limited English proficient Hmong- and Spanish-speaking patients' perceptions of the quality of interpreter services.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Language barriers are a large and growing problem for patients in the US and around the world. Interpreter services are a standard solution for addressing language barriers and most research has focused on utilization of interpreter services and their effect on health outcomes for patients who do not speak the same language as their healthcare providers including nurses. However, there is limited research on patients' perceptions of these interpreter services.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine Hmong- and Spanish-speaking patients' perceptions of interpreter service quality in the context of receiving cancer preventive services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty limited English proficient Hmong (n=10) and Spanish-speaking participants (n=10) ranging in age from 33 to 75 years were interviewed by two bilingual researchers in a Midwestern state. Interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Analysis was done using conventional content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups shared perceptions about the quality of interpreter services as variable along three dimensions. Specifically, both groups evaluated quality of interpreters based on the interpreters' ability to provide: (a) literal interpretation, (b) cultural interpretation, and (c) emotional interpretation during the health care encounter. The groups differed, however, on how they described the consequences of poor interpretation quality. Hmong participants described how poor quality interpretation could lead to: (a) poor interpersonal relationships among patients, providers, and interpreters, (b) inability of patients to follow through with treatment plans, and (c) emotional distress for patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study highlights the fact that patients are discerning consumers of interpreter services; and could be effective partners in efforts to reform and enhance interpreter services.
authors: University of Wisconsin School of Nursing, Madison, USA. Electronic address: mlor2@wisc.edu.
authors: Maichou
authors: M
authors: Lor
authors: Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, USA.
authors: Phia
authors: P
authors: Xiong
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, USA.
authors: Rebecca J
authors: RJ
authors: Schwei
authors: University of Wisconsin School of Nursing, Madison, USA.
authors: Barbara J
authors: BJ
authors: Bowers
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, USA.
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014175:Translating
keywords: Healthcare; Hmong; Interpreter services; Latino; Limited English proficient