Interpreting at the end of life: A systematic review of the impact of interpreters on the delivery of palliative care services to cancer patients with limited english proficiency Journal Article

   

Authors:	Silva, M. D.; Genoff, M.; Zaballa, A.; Jewell, S.; Stabler, S.; Gany, F. M.; Diamond, L. C.
Article Title:	Interpreting at the end of life: A systematic review of the impact of interpreters on the delivery of palliative care services to cancer patients with limited english proficiency
Abstract:	Context Language barriers can influence the health quality and outcomes of limited English proficiency (LEP) patients at end of life, including symptom assessment and utilization of hospice services. Objectives To determine how professional medical interpreters influence the delivery of palliative care services to LEP patients. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature in all available languages of six databases from 1960 to 2014. Studies evaluated use of language services for LEP patients who received palliative care services. Data were abstracted from 10 articles and collected on study design, size, comparison groups, outcomes, and interpreter characteristics. Results Six qualitative and four quantitative studies assessed the use of interpreters in palliative care. All studies found that the quality of care provided to LEP patients receiving palliative services is influenced by the type of interpreter used. When professional interpreters were not used, LEP patients and families had inadequate understanding about diagnosis and prognosis during goals of care conversations, and patients had worse symptom management at the end of life, including pain and anxiety. Half of the studies concluded that professional interpreters were not used adequately, and several studies suggested that premeetings between clinicians and interpreters were important to discuss topics and terminology to be used during goals of care discussions. Conclusion LEP patients had worse quality of end-of-life care and goals of care discussions when professional interpreters were not used. More intervention studies are needed to improve the quality of care provided to LEP patients and families receiving palliative services. © 2016 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords:	palliative care; hospice; end of life; limited english proficiency; cancer; interpreter use; non-english-speaking patients
Journal Title:	Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Volume:	51
Issue:	3
ISSN:	0885-3924
Publisher:	Elsevier Inc.
Date Published:	2016-03-01
Start Page:	569
End Page:	580
Language:	English
DOI:	10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.10.011
PROVIDER:	scopus
PUBMED:	26549596
PMCID:	PMC4955824
DOI/URL:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84960122271&partnerID=40&md5=e39f6a349fb6a6b32d7a03527d240b13
Notes:	Article -- Export Date: 4 April 2016 -- Source: Scopus

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