Create Understanding with an Interpreter

For non-native speakers in a foreign country, there may come a time when you need to use an interpreter. Interpreters assist with the accurate communication of ideas between two parties. They can also be very helpful cultural interpreters as well giving either party clarification on actual or potential cultural misunderstandings. If there are problems, do not be afraid to ask the interpreter for advice.

When using an interpreter, there are several items that should be considered:

· If possible, hire an interpreter knowledgeable about the subject to be discussed.

· Speak clearly and slowly.

· Avoid little known words and the use of idioms.

· Explain the main idea of the discussion more than once to make the point clear.

· Speak only a minute or two before allowing the interpreter to speak.

· If necessary, allow the interpreter time to take notes about the dialogue or clarify the meaning of obscure points.

· Do not interrupt the interpreter as they are speaking – misunderstandings could result.

· Avoid using long sentences, double negatives or negative wordings if a positive wording will work.

· Avoid being superfluous.

· Support your verbal message with expressions and gestures.

· To double check understanding, write out the main points discussed and confirm in writing what was agreed to in the discussion.

· Allow the interpreter a break after two hours and consider using a second interpreter if the event will last all day.

Lastly, understand interpreters are people. Understand if they make a mistake, and do not panic if they need to consult a dictionary or if the interpreter covers in 30 seconds what it took the speaker 5 minutes to express. Being patient and deliberate with an interpreter can go a long way and results in a discussion everyone can understand.

When will the medicine kick in?

A recent study in a series by the non-profit Commonwealth Fund showed that while Americans pay far more per capita for healthcare, they are unhappier with the results and less healthy than people in other rich countries. Unhappy because the costs are out of reach; Less healthy because we cannot afford the price of good health. Surely, this resonates with everyone. Our great country can offer so much by way of the most advanced technology, miraculous breakthroughs in medicine and the brightest scholars. But when it comes to health care, no one can deny that conditions are harmful for many, deplorable for the poor and dreadful for minority groups who suffer from more widespread diseases and dismal economic conditions.

An estimated 157 million adults have health insurance through their employer. Another 45 million over 65 and older including the disabled have Medicare coverage. Recently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 59 million Americans had no insurance for at least some of the beginning of 2010. This is an increase from 58.7 million in 2009 and 56.4 million in 2008. Of those without health insurance, 15 million had high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma. Some of these illnesses are more prevalent in minority groups, which also tend to have higher uninsured rates in the United States.

The problems related to health care costs are insurmountable for many. If we cannot pay for health care, we forego medicine, treatment not to mention prevention. Diseases that go undetected end up costing more and the rate of disease continues to rise. Hospitalizations that could have been avoidable could become the norm, which leads to outrageous costs. The outcomes are disastrous. In addition to unnecessary pain and suffering, the results can be loss of homes or bankruptcy because of unreasonable costs and lack of options. We have grave problems when there are simply fewer funds to maintain one’s health, something necessary for survival. Why does the U.S. lag behind other countries in something so vital? When will we start to feel better?

MUR

Impact for Some, But Not All

According to the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, 61% of today’s adults search online for health information compared to the 2000 findings of only 25%, which indicates the increase of online users. Beyond online health queries, social media is a medium that can be advantageous for patients from all backgrounds, but it can be much more useful for minority populations who find doctors to be trustworthy and consider their opinions important. The online impact on decisions or actions is a positive one, but it may prove to be more important for ethnic groups who view the doctor as the absolute authority figure when it comes to health care. The right kind of social networking can make an impact.

Numerous studies reveal disparities among ethnic minority groups with reported higher incidence and chronic health conditions compared to the White population. Therefore, reaching ethnic populations via social media could make a significant impact on their health. Culture is a crucial component of the effectiveness of health care delivery and the high regard for the doctor’s opinion will affect the medical intervention. A physician via a social network would help the patient understand and manage their illness, change risky behaviors and make informed treatment decisions. This could play a major role in medical decisions for some groups such as Hispanics or Asians.

Social media can be a powerful tool between a health care expert and a patient willing to act upon the information to improve his or her health. Patients linked to their doctors seems more effective than random online visits for health queries that need to be deciphered and may or not be the best source of information. The ethnic patient will likely adhere to their doctor’s advice. Social media may be the next best link for non-mainstream populations to impact the health of a minority group not always connected to health care access. Communication is key. The doctor connection is crucial. Social media can help. Let’s stay focused on the goal: to improve the patient’s health. Will social media make an impact?

One Language Barrier at a Time

Why do Hispanics experience disproportionately higher rates of disease, fewer treatment options, and reduced access to care? Some of the factors include low-income status, being uninsured or under-insured and communication barriers with health care professionals. These are all major deterrents to health care access, which is vital to good health. Monolingual Spanish-speakers cannot understand the law, their options or the costs associated with insurance coverage. Recently, Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new website called CuidadoDeSalud.gov that offers health care information in Spanish. The language, often complicated by various dialects, is easy enough to read and understandable.

According to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, "CuidadoDeSalud.gov will give Latinos across the nation better information about the choices they have, how much they cost, and what they can expect from their doctor – specific to their life situation and local community." The new website is a resource for Hispanics who may not be able to obtain regular annual physical exams or preventative tests that detect the early onset of cancer, diabetes, heart and kidney disease. These are prevalent diseases in the Latino community. According to a recent government report on health disparities, the evidence shows higher rates of disease in the Hispanic population. For example, 14% of Hispanics suffer from adult onset diabetes compared to 8% of the White population. Another fact is that Hispanic women contract cervical cancer at twice the rate of White women. Other statistics show similar findings to support these disproportionate rates.

The Spanish-speaking population has gained technological access to critical information that provides options about health care choices. Individuals challenged by communication barriers can finally begin to understand our complex health care system in their own language. All this is just a click away. We may be on the verge of a breakthrough. Now we wait for the relief of suffering and pain of this impoverished community. More importantly, it has everything to gain: access to health care.

(MUR)

When it Comes to Online Health Information, Culture Does Matter

According to a 2010 MARS Online Behavior Study, it appears that the worldwide web impacts online user behavior and that behavior is determined by the degree of seriousness of the medical condition. Dedicated websites hold a certain comfort level when there is a recent diagnosis or the user has a chronic condition. In this case, access to health care professionals provides a greater degree of trust over search engine researching. This is indicative of an online user who is more focused, serious and looking for comfort and ease from a trusted source. On the other hand, users afflicted with diabetes or less serious conditions not necessarily life-threatening, may use websites’ useful tools such as meal planning to influence a lifestyle change or they may use online community support. These users were more likely to be repeat users. Therefore, the severity of a health condition determines online behavior and reveals unique patterns.

The MARS study, however, does not address cultural differences surrounding online behavior. It is evident that what is true for the mainstream culture cannot hold true if you have a different view on health or behave differently as a result of a health threat due to a diagnosis. Different cultures view information differently and thus require different types of health information. And many cultures react differently to how medical information is presented. Other cultures take varying approaches in how they respond to an illness. Knowing how other cultures respond to online medical information could prove to be an enormous benefit to the entire health care community - allowing them to reach more people. Many questions come into play. Are other cultures using the Internet to help them alter their lifestyle, make a life decision or obtain support? If so, are there patterns of how health information sites help? What impact do these sites have? Considering cultural diverse societies, this does matter, does it not?

(MUR)