Accuracy and Patient Satisfaction with using a Language Interpreter in the Healthcare Setting: A Systematic Literature Review

Accuracy and Patient Satisfaction with using a Language Interpreter in the Healthcare Setting: A Systematic Literature Review Background: Patients who speak a different language from their healthcare provider may receive inaccurate information or experience lower patient satisfaction compared to those with shared language fluency. Currently, there is limited research that describes how information exchange is impacted by mode of language interpretation. Varying modes of interpretation include professional interpreters, family members, and other methods. The aim of this systematic literature review is to examine current evidence regarding different types of language interpretation and their effect on information accuracy and patient satisfaction. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, ERIC, PsycINFO, and PAIS from 2008 to 2020. Studies with the search keywords were identified and reviewed. Results: Ten articles met the inclusion criteria and were included for qualitative synthesis. The majority of the studies had low quality evidence. Data synthesis is actively underway. Preliminary findings suggest patient satisfaction is higher when professional interpretation is used. Language translation is often inaccurate when family members act as language interpreters. Discussion: Based on preliminary results, professional foreign language interpretation is recommended in healthcare settings to maximize accuracy of relayed healthcare information and patient satisfaction. However, a lack of comprehensive, high-quality evidence warrants further research