 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Catherine Dower, JD, Univ of California, San Francisco - Center for the Health Professions, 3333 California Street, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94118, 415.476.1894, cdower@itsa.ucsf.edu
Language barriers are often the first, and most significant, challenges to people seeking health care in California where most health care professionals speak only English. This study examines the profession of health care interpreters, front line workers providing the link between the English-speaking health care worker and the non-English speaking patient or client. The findings include a description and demographic profile of the workforce (what they do and how many of them there are), summary of the education and training for people entering the profession, and the regulatory and certification structures within which they work. Also discussed is the practice environment for these workers and the concerns and issues the profession faces. As one of the most critical, yet understudied workforces, health care interpreters will play a key role in the delivery of care in the coming years. Public health workers, health care administrators, policy makers and other health care professionals will benefit from better understanding the profession and learning what changes may be on the horizon for those serving communities of multi-lingual populations.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Interpreters, Access to Health Care
Related Web page: futurehealth.ucsf.edu
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment at the university where study is being done