"Getting by" in a Swiss Tertiary Hospital: the Inconspicuous Complexity of Decision-making Around Patients' Limited Language Proficiency

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Kristina Maria WürthSylvie Schuster

Abstract

While the need to address language barriers to provide quality care for all is generally accepted, little is known about the complexities of decision-making around patients' limited language proficiency in everyday clinical encounters. To understand how linguistic complexities shape cross-cultural encounters by incorporating the perspective of both, patients and physicians. A qualitative hospital study with semi-structured interviews and participant-observation in a Swiss University Hospital. Thirty-two encounters were observed and 94 interviews conducted. Sixteen patients of Turkish and 16 of Albanian origin and all actors (administration, nurses, physicians, if required, interpreters) involved in the patients' entire process. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic content analysis was conducted using MAXQDA. For reporting, the COREQ guidelines were used. Three themes were relevant to patients and physicians alike: Assessment of the language situation, the use of interpreters, and dealing with conversational limits. Physicians tend to assess patients' language proficiency by their body language, individual demeanor, or adequacy of responses to questions. Physicians use professional interpreters for...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 30, 2019·BMC Health Services Research·Fabienne N JaegerPierre Klauser
Sep 30, 2020·Patient Education and Counseling·Demi KrystallidouMaria van den Muijsenbergh

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