Excerpt from: Medical Translation and Interpretation
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| September 16, 2009 | | A new study from San Diego State University suggests that Mexican-Americans in California miss out on colorectal screening tests. | San Diego State University has released a study indicating that language barriers between patients and doctors may prevent some Mexican-Americans in California from getting common screening tests for colorectal cancer.
The study’s findings, which appeared in the summer issue of Ethnicity and Disease, are based on a telephone survey of around 17,000 California residents over the age of 50.
About three times as many Mexican-American respondents as non-Latino whites said they did not know they needed to be screened for colorectal cancer, and thus had never had tests. The study also points out that these respondents are much more likely to have trouble understanding their doctor than non-Latino whites.
Cultural issues could also be a factor, according to a Health Behavior News Service press release. The article concludes, however, by emphasizing the importance of using medical interpreters – as required by California state law – for all patients with limited English proficiency.
When medical translators and interpreters are called upon, it is essential that they have specific training and familiarity with their subject matter as well as excellent language skills and cross-cultural understanding. At Language Translation Inc.
in San Diego, we work only with highly qualified professionals, providing interpreters
who will match your organization’s needs. “Let us show you how good translation should be.”
Betty Carlson | | |
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