Breaking the language barrier: How medical interpreters are preventing misdiagnoses and medical errors in Jordan's refugee camps
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Abstract
This study examines the potential of medical interpreters to prevent misdiagnoses and medical errors in refugee camps in Jordan from the perspectives of three stakeholder groups: healthcare workers, medical interpreters, and refugee patients. Based on qualitative interviews with 15 interpreters, 15 health workers, and 20 refugee patients, the study examines the impact of interpreter-mediated communication on diagnostic accuracy, treatment explanations, and patient safety. The findings underscore the critical role of interpreters in overcoming language and cultural barriers, particularly when patients use metaphorical or regional speech to describe physical or emotional conditions. Physicians reported that interpreters significantly influenced their understanding of patient narratives, particularly in complex or traumatic situations. Refugee patients emphasised the crucial role of interpreters in facilitating discussions of sensitive issues and ensuring adherence to medical advice. However, the study also revealed significant challenges, including inconsistencies in training, cultural insensitivity, and emotional exhaustion, which can lead to burnout. The study proposes formal interpreter training programs, available mental health care for interpreters, and their full integration into multidisciplinary healthcare teams. Overall, the findings affirm the crucial role of professional interpreters in humanitarian health settings and call for immediate action to improve interpreter provision within Jordan's refugee camp system, thereby safeguarding patient outcomes and maintaining the dignity and rights of forcibly displaced individuals.
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