Innovative strategy trains bilingual clinic staff as dual-role medical interpreters to bridge language gaps in primary care

Original Research

Background: This study tested a process to qualify bilingual staff as medical interpreters at a large community health center. Bilingual employees (137 mostly heritage Spanish speaking individuals) completed a survey, self-rated their Spanish ability by taking a formal general Spanish language test and a formal medical interpretation test. Participants then completed a 40-hour online course and then repeated the medical interpretation test. 87 employees completed all steps.  

What This Study Found:

• Heritage Spanish speakers had limited ability to predict their general Spanish proficiency.

• After completing the online course, average interpretation scores improved significantly.

• Higher general oral proficiency predicted higher post-course interpreting scores. Those with lower proficiency were more likely to drop out.

• Overall, 72% of participants who completed training achieved qualified interpreter status.

Implications: This study evaluated an innovative approach to address the high need for qualified medical interpreters by leveraging the unique linguistic and cultural strengths of existing heritage-speaking staff.  

Medical Interpreting in Primary Care: Design and Validation of a Replicable Training Program

D. Mike Hardin Jr., MD, et al 

Waco Family Medicine – Institute, Waco, Texas 

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