Evaluation of a Genetics Education Program for Health Interpreters: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Communication
• Genetics Education
• Health Equity

Background:

• Effective communication is crucial in healthcare, especially for patients with limited language proficiency.
• Health Interpreters play a vital role in bridging communication gaps between healthcare providers and patients.
• Genetics presents unique communication challenges due to complex terminology and concepts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an online training session on genetics for Health Interpreters.
• To assess the impact of this training on interpreters' knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and practice behavior.
• To determine the long-term retention of learned knowledge and participant satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• An online, 2-hour training session combining lectures and activities was delivered.
• Participants completed pre-, post-, and 6-month follow-up questionnaires.
• Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests (Fisher's Exact, independent t-test).

Main Results:

• 118 Health Interpreters participated, showing significant knowledge improvement post-training, sustained at 6 months (p < 0.01).
• No significant changes were observed in self-efficacy or attitudes towards genetics.
• Training did not alter self-reported practice behavior, though initial variability in managing genetic terms was noted.

Conclusions:

• The training was acceptable to Health Interpreters, demonstrating sustained knowledge enhancement in genetic concepts.
• While useful and relevant, the training did not impact self-efficacy or practice behavior.
• Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to validate findings and assess patient impact.