Interpreter engagement in primary care settings

Abstract

Language discordance greatly hinders healthcare access for non-English speakers in Australia. There is limited research into the interpreter engagement procedures in place in primary care settings across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Despite the presence of a predominantly free Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS), uptake of the service by primary care providers is quite low. This study explores how primary care providers across the state engage interpreters for language discordant consultations and how different methods of addressing language discordance impact quality of care. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with primary care providers working in NSW and Arabic speakers with limited English proficiency (LEP) residing in NSW. Purposive sampling was used for recruitment. Data collected was analysed thematically to identify commonly used procedures for interpreter uptake and to understand how patients and practitioners overcome the language barrier during consultations. It was found that most of the participating primary care providers did not have any interpreter engagement procedures in place at their workplace. Patients and practitioners adopt a wide range of strategies to overcome the language barrier and commonly engage interpreters as a last resort or do not engage them at all. Neither patients nor primary care providers have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities in relation to interpreter use. Additionally, there is no consistent method for the engagement of interpreters across primary care. Hence, there is a need for increased awareness of language services and a need for primary care providers to adopt and implement interpreter engagement procedures in their practices.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Mustapha Taibi (Supervisor)