Diversity of Interpreter Education
Nancy K. Esparza, M.Ed, CHESCentral MA Area Health Education Center,
Inc.First National Symposium for Medical Interpreter Trainers
June 12, 2010 Rutgers University
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Medical Interpreter Training Program
Presentation Overview History and Goals Statewide Initiative Funders Curriculum
Course Overview Prerequisites Course Objectives Training Modules Instructors Teaching Methodologies
Customized Trainings Assessment
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History and Goals The Medical Interpreter Training Program was created 11
years ago by UMASS Medical School, Office of Community Programs and the Area Health Education Centers
Addresses several issues facing health care institutions with respect to communicating with the limited English proficient (LEP) patients.
Anticipates/ Responds to shifting demographics and Refugee Resettlement in MA.
Committed to offering job skills and opportunities for members of underserved communities.
History and Goals
Overarching Program Goal:
To improve the supply and distribution of health care professionals placing emphasis on providing primary health care services for underserved populations.
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Statewide Initiative Offered in all 6 state regions
Total number of graduates since 1999: 3,488
Languages include: Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin),
Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, Khmer, Polish, Nepali, Somali, French, Albanian, Haitian Creole, Portuguese Creole, Twi, Khran, Swahili, Burmese, Karen, Kirundi, Albanian, Bosnian, Italian
Selected as one of the training curricula to be reviewed by the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare Standards of Training & Certification
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Funders
Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Office of Medicaid, to support the MassHealth provider network and meet the needs of MassHealth Members.
Executive Office of Health and Human Services: has been committed to sponsoring the medical interpreter training program over the last several years to improve language access to health care for all of its participants.
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Curriculum Course Title: Fundamentals of Medical Interpreting Course Hours: 60 classroom hours (3 hour weekly
sessions for 20 weeks). Plus optional 15 hours supervised, documented practicum experience.
College Credit Bearing
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Languages of Most Recent Refugee Arrivals in Massachusetts
Country Language(s)Iraq Arabic, Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of
Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Aramaic (Sabean-Mandaean), Sudanic languages, English
Burma Karen, Karenni, Chin, Kayah
Bhutan Dzongkha (official), Tibetan dialects (among Bhotes), Hindi, Nepali dialects (among Nepalese)
Somalia Somali, Kibajuni, Swahili, Chimwiini and Bantu plus
Haiti Haitian Creole
Burundi Kirundi and French (official), Swahili
Afghanistan Farsi
Curriculum Course Description:
The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the importance of Medical Interpreters and their role in promoting and ensuring access to quality health care. The course:
incorporates awareness of and respect for cultural perspectives;
explores the therapeutic relationship between patient and provider;
teaches effective communication skills to ensure understanding and enhance meaning during the health care encounter.
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Curriculum
Course Prerequisites:
Proficiency and fluency in written and oral English;
Proficiency and fluency in English and at least one other language;
High School diploma or the equivalency;
Pass a Written and Oral Language Proficiency Examination created by UMASS in partnership with the AHEC Centers.
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Curriculum
Course Objectives:
Describe and demonstrate adherence to the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) and the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC);
Explain and apply each of the four main roles of the medical interpreter (conduit, clarifier, culture broker, patient advocate);
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Curriculum Course Objectives (continued):
Acquire and use essential medical terminology and vocabulary in English and the target language;
Function effectively in the triadic encounter across multiple settings; and
Function effectively as an integral member of the health care team.
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Curriculum Training Modules:
Role of the Interpreter MMIA Standards of Practice Code of Ethics The Triadic Encounter Cultural Responsiveness U.S. Medical System
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Curriculum Medical Terminology by Systems:
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Curriculum Instructors
Lead instructors include a medical interpreter and a clinical presenter.
Clinical presenters: Medical Doctors Nurse Practitioners Physician Assistants
In addition, Language Coaches for each language represented in the training are used in the practice component of specific sessions.
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U.S. Licensed
Curriculum Teaching Methodologies
Lecture
Demonstration Class discussion
Role play of triadic/quad encounters
Reading assignments
Supervised field-based practicum
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Assessment: Methodology Observation and Feedback
Instructors Language Coaches Peers/ Other Students
Written Home Assignments Quizzes In Class Final Examination
Written Components Oral Components Case Simulation
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Customized Trainings
Additional training curricula has been developed for graduates of Fundamentals of Interpreting:
Mental Health Medical Interpreter Curriculum
Fundamentals of Interpreting: Train the Trainer
Fundamentals of Interpreting: Skill Building for Language Coaches
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Continuing Education Offerings
Based Upon the Belief in the Importance of Ongoing Learning and Professional Growth
Highlights
HIV/AIDS End of Life Issues
Diabetes
Emergency Preparedness
Mindfulness
Oral Health
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Our Participants…
Diverse Educational Backgrounds Median Educational Level: Bachelor’s Degree Range: High School Diploma M.D.
Diverse Professional Backgrounds Dual Role Employees (e.g., MAs, CNAs, lab
technicians) Foreign Educated Professionals
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Central MA AHEC, Inc. Mission is dedicated to enhancing access to quality
health care, promoting workforce development, and eliminating health disparities.
A Member of the MassAHEC Network.
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Central MA AHEC, Inc.Highlights of CM AHEC Initiatives:
Medical Interpreter Training Language Link Interpreter Services Translation Bureau Outreach Worker Training Institute (OWTI)
Community Health Worker Training Programs Patient Navigator Training Programs
Community Based Training for Medical Professionals Community Based Participatory Research Specialized Health Disparities Initiatives
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Contact Information Nancy K. Esparza, M.Ed, CHES
Central MA Area Health Education Center, Inc.
First National Symposium for Medical Interpreter Trainers
June 12, 2010 Rutgers University