Invited Commentary

Commentary "Resident Physicians' Opinions and Behaviors Regarding the Use of Interpreters in New Orleans"

Authors: Kyle Kalkwarf, MD

Abstract

In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Sandler and colleagues examine resident physicians’ use of interpreters in caring for patients with limited English-language proficiency and the barriers to use that they encounter.1 Previous articles on the subject have shown the benefits of using interpreters, including decreased adverse events2 and hospital length of stay,3,4 in addition to concurrent improvements in outcomes and patient satisfaction.5 The aim of the Sandler et al study was to evaluate the success of an interpreter utilization training program. Written before implementation of formal instruction, this article identifies barriers to interpreter use to improve future education.

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References

1. Sandler R, Myers L, Springgate B. Resident physicians’ opinions and behaviors regarding the use of interpreters in New Orleans. South Med J 2014;107:698-702.
 
2. Divi C, Koss RG, Schmaltz SP, et al. Language proficiency and adverse events in US hospitals: a pilot study. Int J Qual Health Care 2007;19:60-67.
 
3. John-Baptiste A, Naglie G, Tomlinson G, et al. The effect of English language proficiency on length of stay and in-hospital mortality. J Gen Intern Med 2004;19:221-228.
 
4. Lindholm M, Hargraves JL, Ferguson WJ, et al. Professional language interpretation and inpatient length of stay and readmission rates. J Gen Intern Med 2012;27:1294-1299.
 
5. Karliner LS, Jacobs EA, Chen AH, et al. Do professional interpreters improve clinical care for patients with limited English proficiency? A systematic review of the literature. Health Serv Res 2007;42:727-754.
 
6. Diamond LC, Schenker Y, Curry L, et al. Getting by: underuse of interpreters by resident physicians. J Gen Intern Med 2009;24:256-262.