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The problem with interpreters: communicating with Spanish-speaking patients.
1Bellevue Hospital Center, New York City.
Hospital & Community Psychiatry
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Untrained interpreters can cause inaccurate psychiatric assessments in non-English speakers. Clinicians must monitor patient and interpreter interactions to detect errors that distort critical communication.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Medical Communication
- Linguistics
Background:
- Effective communication is crucial in psychiatric care, especially with non-English-speaking patients.
- The use of untrained interpreters poses significant risks to accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Misinterpretation can lead to severe clinical consequences, impacting patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight common errors made by untrained interpreters in psychiatric settings.
- To illustrate the potential impact of misinterpretation on clinical decision-making.
- To provide guidance for clinicians interacting with non-English-speaking patients via interpreters.
Main Methods:
- Review of common interpreter errors (omission, addition, condensation, substitution, role exchange).
- Presentation of two detailed case examples demonstrating misinterpretation.
- Analysis of clinical outcomes resulting from communication errors.
Main Results:
- Common errors by untrained interpreters can significantly distort patient information.
- Case 1: Misinterpretation led to the minimization of a suicide attempt.
- Case 2: Misinterpretation resulted in the exaggeration of patient suicidality.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must be vigilant for signs of misinterpretation during patient-interpreter interactions.
- Observing both patient and interpreter behaviors is essential for identifying communication distortions.
- Ensuring accurate communication is vital for appropriate psychiatric care and patient safety.