1 / 8

Language Access – Challenges in the Immigrant and Refugee Services Sector

Language Access – Challenges in the Immigrant and Refugee Services Sector. Language barriers in healthcare. Language and cultural differences are among the main barriers to accessing healthcare services. Language barriers pose a risk of individuals misunderstanding health information

chung
Download Presentation

Language Access – Challenges in the Immigrant and Refugee Services Sector

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Language Access – Challenges in the Immigrant and Refugee Services Sector

  2. Language barriers in healthcare • Language and cultural differences are among the main barriers to accessing healthcare services. • Language barriers pose a risk of individuals misunderstanding health information • More than 50% of Toronto’s population speaks a foreign language at home. • 44% of new immigrants in 2001 spoke neither English nor French • 1 in 50 Canadians needs an interpreter for health care. • Ethnocultural communities have a lower rate of participation in healthcare promotion programs than the general population. • There are more than 90 different ethnic groups in Toronto

  3. Why is interpretation important? • Research indicates that language barriers affect health outcomes for patients that could lead to: • Misdiagnosis • Delayed diagnosis • Wrong referrals • Wrong treatment • Inefficient use of resources: unnecessary medical tests, repeat appointments, poor compliance with follow-ups, no shows • Language barriers may result in failure to protect patient confidentiality, to obtain consent, or properly comprehend the nature of the ailment. • Poor communication due to language barriers can leave organizations open to legal challenges

  4. Environmental challenges • Health Care restructuring, competing priorities • Diversity of LEP population • Constant changing demographics of newcomers • No policy framework

  5. Overview of interpretation services in health care • Range of strategies in healthcare • Lack of understanding of role of interpreters • Completely unregulated environment

  6. Strategic Challenges • Lack of consensus • Need for interpreters • Interpreter role • Standards • Engagement of critical stakeholders • Responsibility/accountability

  7. Local, National and International Context • Healthcare Interpretation Network • ATIO • ALIA • Critical Link (Canada) • IMIA

  8. Current Focus • Lead role in Healthcare Interpretation Network which recently published National Standard Guide for Community Interpreting Services • Working with AILIA (Language Industry Association – national organization) to develop plans for upcoming funding • Research project under development positioning funding of interpretation services in hospitals as an Ontario Wait Times Strategy

More Related