For some patients, it may be easier to communicate in Sign Language Interpretation for Clinics. For others, it is more complex and requires a qualified interpreter.
This is especially true if the patient needs a medical procedure or an appointment with a doctor. In addition, a person’s ability to understand the doctor’s communication can affect their overall health and well-being.
Many healthcare providers are not familiar with the complexities of communicating with deaf and hard-of-hearing people. This can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment for the patients, which can increase healthcare costs and hospital liability.
Often, the best way to improve communication in the medical setting is to provide medical interpreters. The Need for Sign Language Interpretation for Clinics is not only legal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but it is also beneficial to the patients.
There are several types of medical interpreting services: ASL, oral, and cued speech. These services are available at all levels of a healthcare facility and can include on-site interpreters or remote interpretation through video platforms.
The ADA requires that physicians provide appropriate communication to all patients with hearing, speech, or visual impairments. This includes a qualified sign language interpreter so long as it does not create an “undue burden” on the physician’s operations.
However, many clinics are reluctant to use a qualified interpreter or have a difficult time finding one. This may be due to the expense, time commitment, and training required for the services.
To address these challenges, the City of Athens has launched a service called “Relay.” It is designed to allow for video interpretation in Greek sign language. Relay is used in four municipal clinics to help citizens who are deaf and hard of hearing access their healthcare needs.
The service offers a range of tools, including videos that explain how to use the service. It is a great resource for doctors, nurses, and other staff that work with deaf patients.
ASL is a visual, interactive language that uses hand motions and natural body language to convey messages. It is used in many communities.
For many, ASL is the primary way they communicate with doctors and other medical professionals, and a qualified interpreter can make the difference between an excellent experience and a frustrating encounter.
Almost four times as many clinics that had more than half of their patients with LEP reported offering interpreter training compared to those with less than half the population with LEP. The types of interpreter training offered included in-house interpreter training (n=15), outside-organization interpreter training (n=4), and a combination of both.
Some clinics provide ad hoc interpreters (e.g., family members or friends). These can be effective in some circumstances, but ad hoc interpreters can also have attitudinal or emotional issues that can interfere with accurate and impartial communication.
Providing effective communication through a qualified interpreter can reduce patient anxiety and improve patient outcomes. It can also enhance the quality of life and prevent the need for costly litigation and health care costs.
