Diversity of Interpreter Education

Nancy K. Esparza, M.Ed, CHESCentral MA Area Health Education Center,

Inc.First National Symposium for Medical Interpreter Trainers

June 12, 2010 Rutgers University

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Medical Interpreter Training Program

Presentation Overview History and Goals Statewide Initiative Funders Curriculum

Course Overview Prerequisites Course Objectives Training Modules Instructors Teaching Methodologies

Customized Trainings Assessment

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History and Goals The Medical Interpreter Training Program was created 11

years ago by UMASS Medical School, Office of Community Programs and the Area Health Education Centers

Addresses several issues facing health care institutions with respect to communicating with the limited English proficient (LEP) patients.

Anticipates/ Responds to shifting demographics and Refugee Resettlement in MA.

Committed to offering job skills and opportunities for members of underserved communities.

History and Goals

Overarching Program Goal:

To improve the supply and distribution of health care professionals placing emphasis on providing primary health care services for underserved populations.

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Statewide Initiative Offered in all 6 state regions

Total number of graduates since 1999: 3,488

Languages include: Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin),

Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, Khmer, Polish, Nepali, Somali, French, Albanian, Haitian Creole, Portuguese Creole, Twi, Khran, Swahili, Burmese, Karen, Kirundi, Albanian, Bosnian, Italian

Selected as one of the training curricula to be reviewed by the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare Standards of Training & Certification

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Funders

Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Office of Medicaid, to support the MassHealth provider network and meet the needs of MassHealth Members.

Executive Office of Health and Human Services: has been committed to sponsoring the medical interpreter training program over the last several years to improve language access to health care for all of its participants.

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Curriculum Course Title: Fundamentals of Medical Interpreting Course Hours: 60 classroom hours (3 hour weekly

sessions for 20 weeks). Plus optional 15 hours supervised, documented practicum experience.

College Credit Bearing

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Languages of Most Recent Refugee Arrivals in Massachusetts

Country Language(s)Iraq Arabic, Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of

Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Aramaic (Sabean-Mandaean), Sudanic languages, English

Burma Karen, Karenni, Chin, Kayah

Bhutan Dzongkha (official), Tibetan dialects (among Bhotes), Hindi, Nepali dialects (among Nepalese)

Somalia Somali, Kibajuni, Swahili, Chimwiini and Bantu plus

Haiti Haitian Creole

Burundi Kirundi and French (official), Swahili

Afghanistan Farsi

Curriculum Course Description:

The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the importance of Medical Interpreters and their role in promoting and ensuring access to quality health care. The course:

incorporates awareness of and respect for cultural perspectives;

explores the therapeutic relationship between patient and provider;

teaches effective communication skills to ensure understanding and enhance meaning during the health care encounter.

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Curriculum

Course Prerequisites:

Proficiency and fluency in written and oral English;

Proficiency and fluency in English and at least one other language;

High School diploma or the equivalency;

Pass a Written and Oral Language Proficiency Examination created by UMASS in partnership with the AHEC Centers.

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Curriculum

Course Objectives:

Describe and demonstrate adherence to the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) and the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC);

Explain and apply each of the four main roles of the medical interpreter (conduit, clarifier, culture broker, patient advocate);

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Curriculum Course Objectives (continued):

Acquire and use essential medical terminology and vocabulary in English and the target language;

Function effectively in the triadic encounter across multiple settings; and

Function effectively as an integral member of the health care team.

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Curriculum Training Modules:

Role of the Interpreter MMIA Standards of Practice Code of Ethics The Triadic Encounter Cultural Responsiveness U.S. Medical System

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Curriculum Medical Terminology by Systems:

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Curriculum Instructors

Lead instructors include a medical interpreter and a clinical presenter.

Clinical presenters: Medical Doctors Nurse Practitioners Physician Assistants

In addition, Language Coaches for each language represented in the training are used in the practice component of specific sessions.

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U.S. Licensed

Curriculum Teaching Methodologies

Lecture

Demonstration Class discussion

Role play of triadic/quad encounters

Reading assignments

Supervised field-based practicum

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Assessment: Methodology Observation and Feedback

Instructors Language Coaches Peers/ Other Students

Written Home Assignments Quizzes In Class Final Examination

Written Components Oral Components Case Simulation

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Customized Trainings

Additional training curricula has been developed for graduates of Fundamentals of Interpreting:

Mental Health Medical Interpreter Curriculum

Fundamentals of Interpreting: Train the Trainer

Fundamentals of Interpreting: Skill Building for Language Coaches

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Continuing Education Offerings

Based Upon the Belief in the Importance of Ongoing Learning and Professional Growth

Highlights

HIV/AIDS End of Life Issues

Diabetes

Emergency Preparedness

Mindfulness

Oral Health

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Our Participants…

Diverse Educational Backgrounds Median Educational Level: Bachelor’s Degree Range: High School Diploma M.D.

Diverse Professional Backgrounds Dual Role Employees (e.g., MAs, CNAs, lab

technicians) Foreign Educated Professionals

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Central MA AHEC, Inc. Mission is dedicated to enhancing access to quality

health care, promoting workforce development, and eliminating health disparities.

A Member of the MassAHEC Network.

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Central MA AHEC, Inc.Highlights of CM AHEC Initiatives:

Medical Interpreter Training Language Link Interpreter Services Translation Bureau Outreach Worker Training Institute (OWTI)

Community Health Worker Training Programs Patient Navigator Training Programs

Community Based Training for Medical Professionals Community Based Participatory Research Specialized Health Disparities Initiatives

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Contact Information Nancy K. Esparza, M.Ed, CHES

Central MA Area Health Education Center, Inc.

nkesparza@cmahec.orgwww.cmahec.org

First National Symposium for Medical Interpreter Trainers

June 12, 2010 Rutgers University