The Impact of Professional Language Interpreting in Midwifery Care: A Review of the Evidence

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients’ limited proficiency in the language of health care providers is known to be associated with health care disparities. Reluctance to use professional interpreting is documented across a wide range of health care professionals. Most of the literature on the effect of interpreting practices has focused on non-midwifery contexts.OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence regarding how using professional interpreters impacts the midwifery care of women with limited dominant language proficiency (LDLP).METHODS: Eligible studies were identified using searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Maternity and Infant Care, then analyzed and assessed for applicability to midwifery.RESULTS: 40 eligible papers, and two systematic reviews containing 48 additional papers, were included. The use of professional interpreters was found to support all aspects of the midwife’s direct role, with some complex findings on woman-centered communication during interpreted encounters. The use of ad hoc interpreters, or no interpreting, undermines all aspects of midwifery care for women with LDLP.IMPLICATIONS: Midwifery care should be enhanced by increasing midwives’ use of professional interpreters; future research should consider how best to achieve this or investigate the comparative efficacy of more complex interventions, such as interpreter-doulas.