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The Diabetes Educator, Vol. 32, No. 5, 714-720 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0145721706292101

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Training Effective Interpreters for Diabetes Care and Education

A New Challenge

Melvina McCabe, MD, Dorothy Gohdes, MD, Frank Morgan, BS, Joanne Eakin, MA and Cheryl Schmitt, MS

From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

Correspondence to Melvina McCabe, MD, Department of Family and Community Medicine, MSC 09 5040, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (mmccabe{at}salud.unm.edu).

Purpose

This article describes a pilot project to improve knowledge, attitudes, and skills of ad hoc interpreters working with Native American diabetes patients with limited English proficiency.

Methods

Case-based studies reflecting clinical situations were developed. Key concepts and terms from the cases were translated into the Navajo language and carefully back translated using the newly standardized Navajo diabetes terminology. Twenty-two health care workers from 2 Indian Health Service facilities were recruited for a pilot study to compare the performance of interpreters trained in a formal workshop using the case studies with that of interpreters who independently reviewed a video made from the training.

Results

Workshop participants noted significant improvements in their knowledge and comfort level in interpretation of diabetes concepts but not about unrelated topics; the independent study group perceived less improvement.

Conclusion

Formal training for interpreters working with diabetes patients should be considered by diabetes educators working in settings where medical interpreters are needed. Diabetes educators should encourage back translation of key diabetes concepts to understand exactly what is being said to patients. Those working with multiple interpreters should make sure there are opportunities for interpreters to discuss translations of key concepts with each other and the educators so that translations are accurate and consistent among interpreters. Independent study did not appear to be an effective way to improve the ability of interpreters to translate current diabetes concepts accurately.


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