Language barriers fall at Vancouver hospital CMAJ 1997;157:864 © Canadian Medical Association Canada's changing demographics are changing the way some hospitals deal with patients. For instance, St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver's populous west end now trains staff and volunteers in language interpretation in order to serve the large number of new Canadians living downtown. Some 120 staff members who speak a total of 45 different languages have volunteered for the training. The program is run by Anneke Rees, the coordinator of volunteer resources, who says "we could always use more." Staff receive a 6-hour training session that emphasizes impartiality and accuracy. Control remains with the patient, explains Rees, because the interpreter is "not responsible for making things work out." Cantonese translation is most in demand by far, followed by Gujarati, an Indian dialect, and Vietnamese. Translation for Polish and Russian patients is sometimes needed, for these new arrivals tend to concentrate in Vancouver's west end. Rees emphasizes that the program involves language interpreting and not cultural interpreting, in which interpreters may act as advocates for patients. The St. Paul's interpreters inform the health professionals involved if a cultural issue arises, but stay neutral. The hemodialysis unit makes the greatest use of interpreters, both during predialysis education sessions and dialysis treatment. Dr. Ron Werb, the unit director, says about 50% of the patients speak Cantonese and he finds the service "absolutely invaluable in reducing patient anxiety." Bolstering interpretation skills within the unit is Alison Chan, a Cantonese-speaking clerk, who has taken the training and uses it frequently. Rees says service delivery remains the program's greatest challenge. Although some procedures allow staff to reserve an interpreter, in most cases translation services are needed without notice. All parts of the hospital can call upon the volunteers around the clock, and a commercial service is available as a backup option. -- © Heather Kent Send a letter to the editor responding to this article Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cet article | CMAJ October 1, 1997 (vol 157, no 7) / JAMC le 1er octobre 1997 (vol 157, no 7) |