Assessing Interpreter Utilization Patterns among Clinicians at Women and Infants’ Hospital Ben Brown, MD 2012 Alpert Medical School of Brown University nriAHEC Grantee, October 21, 2009

Goals Assess how often clinicians (primarily nurses and physicians) utilize interpreters Assess how satisfied clinicians are with the interpretation options available to them Use these data as the basis for policy recommendations to provide better services to limited English proficiency (LEP) patients

Methods Survey distributed digitally and in print to clinicians throughout WIH Some responses online, most on paper

Where we are now Data collected (digitally and on paper) Analysis underway: How often clinicians see LEP patients, use interpreters How satisfied they are with various interpretation methods Knowledge of ethical issues involved in interpretation / care of LEP patients Reasons why clinicians choose not to utilize an interprter Assessing how profession, department, ability to speak other languages, training in LEP issues affect these variables

In what department do you work? What is your professional title?

In the last two weeks, approximately how many encounters have you had with adult limited English proficiency (LEP) patients? In approximately how many of these encounters did you utilize a professional interpreter (from Interpreter Services or a telephone interpretation company)? In approximately how many of these encounters did you utilize an ad hoc interpreter? In approximately how many of these encounters did you perform your duties without yourself speaking the patient’s language and without utilizing an interpreter of any kind?

In general, when speaking with LEP patients through an interpreter, did you feel you accomplished what you set out to in your encounter? (n=128) In general, when speaking with LEP patients through an interpreter, did you feel your patients accomplished what they set out to in your encounter? (n=133)

In general, when speaking with LEP patients without an interpreter, did you feel you accomplished what you set out to in your encounter? (n=104) In general, when speaking with LEP patients without an interpreter, did you feel your patients accomplished what they set out to in your encounter? (n=104)

Who do you believe has the primary responsibility for ensuring that an interpreter is available when an LEP patient comes to seek care? (n=144)

Thank You Questions?