Nataly R Espinoza Suarez1, Meritxell Urtecho2, Samira Jubran3, Mei-Ean Yeow4, Michael E Wilson5, Kasey R Boehmer6, Amelia K Barwise7. 1. Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit (KER), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: natalyes33@gmail.com. 2. Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit (KER), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: UrtechoSuarez.LourdesMeritxe@mayo.edu. 3. Language Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: Jubran.Samira@mayo.edu. 4. Center For Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: Yeow.Mei-Ean@mayo.edu. 5. Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit (KER), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: Wilson.Michael1@mayo.edu. 6. Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit (KER), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: Boehmer.kasey@mayo.edu. 7. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: Barwise.Amelia@mayo.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To understand healthcare team perceptions of the role of professional interpreters and interpretation modalities during end of life and critical illness discussions with patients and families who have limited English proficiency in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We did a secondary analysis of data from a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews of 16 physicians, 12 nurses, and 12 professional interpreters from 3 ICUs at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. RESULTS: We identified 3 main role descriptions for professional interpreters: 1) Verbatim interpretation; interpreters use literal interpretation; 2) Health Literacy Guardian; interpreters integrate advocacy into their role; 3) Cultural Brokers; interpreters transmit information incorporating cultural nuances. Clinicians expressed advantages and disadvantages of different interpretation modalities on the professional interpreter's role in the ICU. CONCLUSION: Our study illuminates different professional interpreters' roles. Furthermore, we describe the perceived relationship between interpretation modalities and the interpreter's roles and influence on communication dynamics in the ICU for patients with LEP. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Patients benefit from having an interpreter, who can function as a cultural broker or literacy guardian during communication in the ICU setting where care is especially complex, good communication is vital, and decision making is challenging.
OBJECTIVES: To understand healthcare team perceptions of the role of professional interpreters and interpretation modalities during end of life and critical illness discussions with patients and families who have limited English proficiency in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We did a secondary analysis of data from a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews of 16 physicians, 12 nurses, and 12 professional interpreters from 3 ICUs at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. RESULTS: We identified 3 main role descriptions for professional interpreters: 1) Verbatim interpretation; interpreters use literal interpretation; 2) Health Literacy Guardian; interpreters integrate advocacy into their role; 3) Cultural Brokers; interpreters transmit information incorporating cultural nuances. Clinicians expressed advantages and disadvantages of different interpretation modalities on the professional interpreter's role in the ICU. CONCLUSION: Our study illuminates different professional interpreters' roles. Furthermore, we describe the perceived relationship between interpretation modalities and the interpreter's roles and influence on communication dynamics in the ICU for patients with LEP. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Patients benefit from having an interpreter, who can function as a cultural broker or literacy guardian during communication in the ICU setting where care is especially complex, good communication is vital, and decision making is challenging.