title: Patient Perspectives on the Need for and Barriers to Professional Medical Interpretation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) constitute an increasing share of the patient population in American healthcare settings. Few studies have described the patient's perspective on barriers to medical interpretation and experiences in the clinical setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted focus groups with 22 LEP Spanish-speaking adults. Focus groups were transcribed and analyzed in their original Spanish.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LEP patients face significant challenges when accessing health care services due to inadequate or insufficient access to professional interpreters. Predominant themes include: lack of interpreter availability, fear of disclosing limited English skills, and language discordant providers overestimating LEP patients' understanding of English. Many participants felt they had received poorer quality care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LEP patients face multiple barriers to accessing adequate interpretation leading to a perceived worsening in the quality of care. In order to improve health outcomes for LEP patients, routine provision of adequate interpretation is essential.
authors.affiliation: 4th Year Medical Student, Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: OB/GYN Resident at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Alpert Medical School Graduate.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stifani
authors.affiliation: 4th Year Medical Student, Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
authors.forename: Haiyan Ramírez
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Batlle
authors.affiliation: 4th Year Medical Student, Alpert Medical School, of Brown University.
authors.forename: Maria Aguilera
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nunez
authors.affiliation: 4th Year Medical Student, Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erlich
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Physician-in-Chief, Department of Medicine, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Diaz
mesh_terms: D003105:Colombia / Q000208:ethnology; D003144:Communication Barriers; D004293:Dominican Republic / Q000208:ethnology; D017144:Focus Groups; D006166:Guatemala / Q000208:ethnology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000208:ethnology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Hispanic Community; Immigrants; Language Barriers; Medical interpretation