Professional Medical Translators and Non-Professional Translators Serve Valuable Roles in Adherence to Recommendations by Non-English Speaking Patients

Abstract

Purpose: Translators for non-English speaking patients can be valuable assets for physicians. Often, friends or family members serve as non-professional translators for patients. There is limited research that compares the efficacy of professional translators to non-professional translation provided by family or friends in gastroenterology practices. This study compared the compliance of non-English speaking patients who used professional translators with non-English speaking patients who used non-professional translators. Methods: The medical records of consecutive non-English speaking patients with documented professional translators as well as non-English speaking patients with non-professional translator assistance referred to an urban university gastroenterology practice in a one year period were reviewed. Patient age, gender, primary language, diagnosis, medical recommendations, adherence to recommendations and translator type were obtained. Professional translators were individuals who received certification in medical translation. Non-professional translators included family members, friends, and clinical staff members with language fluency. A database was created using Microsoft Excel. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's Exact test with significance set at p<0.05. The study was approved by the IRB. Results: 121 medical records of non-English speaking patients with translators were reviewed. 50 (41.3%) non-English speaking patients presented with professional translators. There were 31 women and 18 men, with a mean age of 51.1 years. The primary languages included Spanish (64%) and Arabic (18%). 71 (58.7%) non-English speaking patients presented with non-professional translators. There were 41 women and 30 men, with a mean age of 54.4 years. The primary languages were Spanish (36.6%) and Anharic (23.9%). 33 (66%) of the patients with professional translators and 54 (78.3%) of patients with non-professional translators had documented compliance with physician recommendations. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.149) in the rate at which patients with professional and non-professional translators adhered to recommendations. Conclusion: Translation services are increasingly important in medical settings. Certified medical translators and non-professional translators may assist in physicians' communication with patients. This study revealed that there was no significant difference in the rate of compliance based upon the type of translator. As possible, medical settings should encourage translation services in all patients in whom language barriers may affect communication.