Role of Medical Students as Interpreters in Bridging Language Barriers
across Academic Healthcare Centers: Scoping Review
Abstract
Background: Linguistic concordance between healthcare
providers and patients is critical for ensuring quality healthcare.
Professional interpretation can be expensive and challenging to access.
This scoping review aimed to explore the evidence on the role and
education of medical students as interpreters in caring for patients
with limited language proficiency (LLP), and to determine the benefits
and risks associated with this practice. Methods: A
scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was
conducted. Six literature databases were searched systematically between
1946 – 02 Aug 2023. All publications discussing the use of medical
students as interpreters in healthcare settings were included. Retained
documents were analyzed using Covidence, with coding by two raters and
regular team discussions. A thematic analysis framework was used.
Results: Thirteen articles met the eligibility criteria.
Multilingual medical students are frequently asked to interpret in
healthcare settings. This was found to be advantageous in reducing
communication barriers, improving care quality, and contributing to
students’ clinical experience. Concerns were raised regarding the lack
of knowledge on the professional obligations of interpreters.
Interpretation training programs for medical students have been
implemented at selective healthcare centres and demonstrated successful
results in providing care to LLP patients. Conclusions:
Medical students play an important role in addressing language barriers
in healthcare institutions when serving LLP patients, by combining their
unique position in the healthcare team with their medical, linguistic,
and cultural competency skills. Academic institutions stand to benefit
from offering interpretation training programs and integrating medical
students as a resource towards delivering language-concordant care.