1. CC Abstract Background Karissa Beebe  Carlos Garcia-Ruiz  University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire The purpose of this qualitative research was to investigate the current needs of medical facilities in the Eau Claire area pertaining to Spanish-speaking clients. The data were used to establish recommendations and improve preparation of student interpreters at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC). The data may help decrease the number of errors that occur due to communication and may improve preparedness of students at UWEC to enter the work force as interpreters and medical professionals. Medical managers from four separate health care facilities were interviewed to determine interpretation needs. Outcomes indicated that there is a great need for Spanish services in the area. The syllabus for the Spanish for Health Care Professions class was revised to include interpretation skills; proficiency was then measured using a post-test. Results showed that students felt more comfortable with translation skills at the end of the semester. Exploration of Translation and Interpretation Needs in the Eau Claire Area Resources Method Recommendations We thank the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and Department of Foreign Languages for supporting this research, and Learning & Technology Services for printing this poster. The Eau Claire area has a small but growing Hispanic population and growing need for resources in Spanish Only a small percentage of patient education materials are offered in Spanish Documents that had been translated from English to Spanish were analyzed in the early data collection phases and revealed grammatical errors. Interviews were then shaped to discover the actual need, the cause of poor communication, and ways to improve. Important topics discussed included: the quantity of Spanish- speaking clients that visits each clinic, how language barriers are overcome, qualifications for interpreters and translation services used, and how often miscommunication results in medical errors. UWEC Spanish for healthcare professions minor Spanish 320 Improve syllabus Include translation techniques Provide ways to practice techniques in the community Teach importance of culture in communication Medical Facilities Interview with managers Interpret findings Make recommendations Results For private healthcare clinics, we found it most beneficial to develop a department specifically for the coordination of translation and interpretation services staffed with a manger to oversee all of the interpreters. We recommend the free clinic and public health department allow students at UWEC to shadow and/or volunteer as interpreters at their facilities. These organizations have limited resources and are in need of more interpreters and this would in return provide University students the ability to practice interpretation skills. Develop use of video interpretation in place of phone interpretation. These services have been shown to be nearly or just as effective as in person interpreters when compared to over the phone interpretation (Locatis et al., 2010) Discussion The main barrier to providing better care to Hispanics was lack of monetary resources. The largest percentage of Spanish-speaking patients are seen at the free clinic and by public health both of which have the most limited budgets. 8% of the patients seen at the free clinic are Hispanic, 6% more than that of the average population of Eau Claire (CVFC, 2011). Among the private healthcare clinics two trends in interpretation services were noted: -Use of multiple translation/interpretation services from many different companies -A centralized interpretation department headed by a manager who coordinates all resources. Of the two, the latter was found to be much more effective, consistent, and convenient for patients and clinic staff. Results from adjustments to the syllabus for SPAN 320 showed favorable results. Overall students had a better understanding of the Hispanic culture and felt more prepared to use interpretation skills by the end of the semester. Hispanic/Latino 2.0% White, non-Hispanic 91.8% Asian 3.4% Chippewa Valley Free Clinic (2011). Annual report. Unpublished raw data Locatis, C., Williamson, D., Gould-Kabler, C., Zone-Smith, L., Detzler, I., Roberson, J., Maisiak, R., & Ackerman, M. (2010). Comparing in-person, video, and telephonic medical interpretation. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 25(4). US Department of Commerce (2010). United States Census Bureau: Eau Claire County, WI. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/55/55035.html Winkler, R., Kemp, S. (2008). Population change and characteristics in the Eau Claire area. Retrieved from University of Wisconsin, Applied Population Laboratory website: http://www.apl.wisc. edu/Publications/APL%20Demogrpahic%20Study%20of% 20Eau%20Claire%20Area.pdf Data according to the 2010 US Census The Hispanic population in the Eau Claire are is expected to grow at a faster rate than the non-Hispanic white population in the next 10 years (Winkler & Kemp, 2008). Demographics- Eau Claire County