Toronto’s diverse population requires multilingual health care: Goar | Toronto Star

Good overview by Carol Goar on an initiative to provide interpretation services in healthcare:

Patients using the service no longer have to bring a relative or friend to medical appointments. They don’t have to disclose sensitive information domestic abuse, mental health issues, sexual problems to their families to get help. They don’t have to impose the burden of being a go-between on young children. And according the Centre for Inner City Health, they believe the quality of the care is better when they can communicate without fear of being misinterpreted by their health-care provider.

Health-care providers have more confidence in the information they are getting from patients. They don’t have to deal with difficult family dynamics. They can involve patients in their own treatment. And they can be sure their instructions are being conveyed to the patient accurately. “It has fundamentally changed who we are able to offer services to,” one health-care provider said.

The researchers did find a few gaps and weaknesses:

• Elderly patients often don’t like — and won’t use — the technology. The special dial-in code and the delays patching everybody into the conversation frustrate them.
• The service is inappropriate for people with dementia or paranoia. For them, disembodied voices can be confusing or threatening.
• It is obviously unsuitable for hard-of-hearing patients.
• The interpreter’s gender can make some conversations difficult.
• The cost is a barrier for certain community agencies.
• And some patients prefer the old method.

On balance, however, the evaluation team gives the program high marks and recommends expansion with a few adjustments.

With the face of urban Canada rapidly changing, it is heartening to see Toronto take the lead in keeping medicare open and equitable.

Toronto’s diverse population requires multilingual health care: Goar | Toronto Star.