'It depends on the consultation': revisiting use of family members as interpreters for general practice consultations - when and why?
Family members continue to be used as interpreters in medical consultations despite the well-known risks. This paper examines participant perceptions of this practice in three New Zealand clinics chosen for their frequent use of interpreters and their skill in using them. It is based on a detailed study of 17 video-recorded interpreted consultations and 48 post-consultation interviews with participants (5 doctors, 16 patients and 12 interpreters, including 6 family members). All participants expressed satisfaction with the communication. Analysis of the interviews explored what participants liked or valued about family member interpreters (FMIs). Key themes were the FMIs' personal relationship and knowledge, patient comfort, trust, cultural norms, time efficiency and continued help outside the consultation. General practitioners (GPs) expressed awareness of potential risks and how to manage them, in contrast to patients and FMIs. Although the use of professional interpreters needs to be strongly promoted, a well-informed decision to use a family member is appropriate in some situations. GPs need to be well trained in how to assess and manage the risks. Rather than striving for 'best practice' (i.e. universal use of professional interpreters), it is better to aim for 'good practice' where a considered judgement is made about each situation on an individual basis.
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, Wellington 6242, New Zealand.
Jo
J
Hilder
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, Wellington 6242, New Zealand.
Ben
B
Gray
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, Wellington 6242, New Zealand.
Anthony
A
Dowell
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, Wellington 6242, New Zealand.
Lindsay
L
Macdonald
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, Wellington 6242, New Zealand.
Rachel
R
Tester
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, Wellington 6242, New Zealand.
Maria
M
Stubbe
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014175:Translating