Investigating the importance of interpreting services to improve patient care and access to health services for Aboriginal Australians, Indigenous global populations and minority language speakers

Abstract

ABSTRACT English is not the first language for many Indigenous peoples, including Aboriginal Australians, and other minority groups. In Australia and many countries globally, health services are primarily delivered in English. Equity in health care can only be achieved if individuals are proficient in a language that they can understand. Interpreting services improves patient outcomes for minority language speakers. A comprehensive thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. When interpreter services were provided, patient care was improved for minority populations. The use of interpreters by Aboriginal Australians and the Aboriginal ‘voice’ in health care were missing. Language barriers are a major problem for minority language speakers in accessing health care, and inequitable treatment based on cultural, racial or ethnicity is common. In Australia, interpreter services for Aboriginal Australians in health care are under-utilised, and in many circumstances are unavailable. There is a severe lack of qualified interpreters globally in health care, particularly Aboriginal language interpreters, and there is a need for cultural competency training and cultural resources in health care settings. More Aboriginal interpreters are needed to provide a cultural lens and ‘two-way interpreting’ for Aboriginal Australians.