Do not lose your patient in translation: Using interpreters effectively in primary care
South Africa is a multicultural society characterised by a rich diversity of languages. As a result, many healthcare providers and their patients often do not speak the same language, which makes communication challenging. The language barriers, when present, require an interpreter to ensure accurat...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2023-02-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5655 |
| _version_ | 1811161297719394304 |
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| author | Talat Habib Arun Nair Klaus von Pressentin Ramprakash Kaswa Hamid Saeed |
| author_facet | Talat Habib Arun Nair Klaus von Pressentin Ramprakash Kaswa Hamid Saeed |
| author_sort | Talat Habib |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | South Africa is a multicultural society characterised by a rich diversity of languages. As a result, many healthcare providers and their patients often do not speak the same language, which makes communication challenging. The language barriers, when present, require an interpreter to ensure accurate and effective communication between the parties. In addition to assisting in a clear exchange of information, a trained medical interpreter also acts as a cultural liaison. This is especially true when the provider and the patient come from different cultural backgrounds. Based on the patient’s needs, preferences, and available resources, clinicians should select and engage with the most appropriate interpreter. The effective use of an interpreter requires knowledge and skill. Patients and healthcare providers can benefit from several specific behaviours during interpreter-mediated consultations. This review article provides practical tips on when and how to use an interpreter effectively during clinical encounters in primary healthcare settings in South Africa. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:13:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a7b6d68463064e5292e67a3444d720be |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:13:08Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-a7b6d68463064e5292e67a3444d720be2023-03-02T11:51:46ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042023-02-01651e1e510.4102/safp.v65i1.56554313Do not lose your patient in translation: Using interpreters effectively in primary careTalat Habib0Arun Nair1Klaus von Pressentin2Ramprakash Kaswa3Hamid Saeed4Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and, Department of Family Medicine, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, KimberleyDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and, Department of Family Medicine, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, KimberleyDivision of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape TownDepartment of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa; and, Mthatha General Hospital, MthathaDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and, Department of Family Medicine, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, KimberleySouth Africa is a multicultural society characterised by a rich diversity of languages. As a result, many healthcare providers and their patients often do not speak the same language, which makes communication challenging. The language barriers, when present, require an interpreter to ensure accurate and effective communication between the parties. In addition to assisting in a clear exchange of information, a trained medical interpreter also acts as a cultural liaison. This is especially true when the provider and the patient come from different cultural backgrounds. Based on the patient’s needs, preferences, and available resources, clinicians should select and engage with the most appropriate interpreter. The effective use of an interpreter requires knowledge and skill. Patients and healthcare providers can benefit from several specific behaviours during interpreter-mediated consultations. This review article provides practical tips on when and how to use an interpreter effectively during clinical encounters in primary healthcare settings in South Africa.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5655medical interpretermodes of interpretationtypes of medical interpreterscultural liaisoncommunication barriersprimary care |
| spellingShingle | Talat Habib Arun Nair Klaus von Pressentin Ramprakash Kaswa Hamid Saeed Do not lose your patient in translation: Using interpreters effectively in primary care South African Family Practice medical interpreter modes of interpretation types of medical interpreters cultural liaison communication barriers primary care |
| title | Do not lose your patient in translation: Using interpreters effectively in primary care |
| title_full | Do not lose your patient in translation: Using interpreters effectively in primary care |
| title_fullStr | Do not lose your patient in translation: Using interpreters effectively in primary care |
| title_full_unstemmed | Do not lose your patient in translation: Using interpreters effectively in primary care |
| title_short | Do not lose your patient in translation: Using interpreters effectively in primary care |
| title_sort | do not lose your patient in translation using interpreters effectively in primary care |
| topic | medical interpreter modes of interpretation types of medical interpreters cultural liaison communication barriers primary care |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5655 |
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