Hospital language service programs: a closer look at translation practices

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Communication
• Medical Translation

Background:

• Limited English proficiency (LEP) patients require accessible health information.
• Existing research primarily focuses on interpreter services, not written translation needs.
• Hospitals face challenges in providing translated health materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe current translation practices in hospitals serving LEP patients.
• To identify strategies used by hospitals for delivering translated health materials.
• To inform the development of guidance for healthcare translation services.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving in-depth telephone interviews.
• 35 hospitals with established interpreter services programs participated.
• Interviews focused on staff responsible for overseeing translation services.

Main Results:

• Significant variation exists in hospitals' translation practices.
• Hospitals use a mix of in-house interpreters and external contractors for translation.
• Translation volume ranges from 5 to 5,000 documents annually.
• Some hospitals demonstrate robust programs despite limited funding.

Conclusions:

• There is a lack of standardized guidance for healthcare translation services.
• Hospital translation practices are diverse, highlighting an unmet need for best practices.
• Effective delivery of translated materials is crucial for equitable healthcare access.