Throughout 2006, over 550 surveys were sent to physician clinics, hospitals, dental clinics, and pharmacists in Lincoln/Lancaster County. We asked 10 questions regarding the medical interpretation and translation issues they are facing. A total of 173 responses were received. LEP means Limited English Proficient
We asked if they provide written health information such as forms, teaching sheets and discharge instructions in other languages:
61 responded that they DO offer written health information and forms in other languages
100 responded that they DO NOT offer written health information and forms in other languages
Of the 61 who DO have written materials in other languages:
49 have materials in Spanish
14 have materials in Vietnamese
3 have materials in Arabic
10 reported having materials in multiple or other languages
We asked how much of their patient population is LEP:
11 responded that they have NO LEP patients
130 responded that 1-10% of their patient population is LEP
19 responded that 11-25% of their patient population is LEP
3 responded that 26-50% of their patient population is LEP
The languages of those LEP populations encountered are:
Spanish was identified by 98 responders
Vietnamese was identified by 80 responders
Arabic by 33
Russian by 18
Languages of the Sudanese by 12
Bosnian by 11
Kurdish by 8
Chinese by 5
Farsi by 4
Croatian by 3
Serbian by 3
American Sign Language by 3
Multiple/other/unspecified by 25
We asked what method they are most likely to use to provide interpretation and translation services:
118 responded that they are most likely to use FRIENDS AND FAMILY
12 responded that they are most likely to use BILINGUAL STAFF assigned to other duties
7 responded that they are most likely to use FREELANCE INTERPRETERS
14 responded that they are most likely to use BILINGUAL STAFF TRAINED IN INTERPRETATION
18 responded that they are most likely to use a PRIVATE INTERPRETATION COMPANY
15 responded that they are most likely to use the CHIRP LINE
(Some responses indicated more than 1 method)
We asked what their costs were to provide interpretation services:
61 responders reported they had no costs
20 reported that they did not know the costs
49 organizations reported spending a combined minimum of $219,000
We asked to what extent their LEP patients receive medical diagnosis, instructions, or other verbal information in their native language:
19 responded that LEP patients ALWAYS receive diagnosis and instruction in their native languages
57 responded ALMOST ALWAYS
34 responded SOMETIMES receive
29 responded RARELY
16 responded NEVER
We asked whether the levels of interpretation services they provide are adequately meeting the needs of their LEP patients:
22 responded that the interpretation services they provide are DEFINTELY adequate
63 responded that the interpretation services they provide are PROBABLY adequate
45 responded that the interpretation services they provide are PROBABLY NOT adequate
17 responded that the interpretation services they provide are DEFINTELY NOT adequate
11 were unsure about the adequacy of the interpretation services they provide
***It should be noted that of the responders who are most likely to use friends and family to interpret 49 reported this method as definitely or probably adequate.
We asked what their greatest barrier is to communicating with LEP individuals:
28 responded that lack of time is their greatest barrier to communicating with LEP individuals
44 responded that the lack of accessible interpreters is their greatest barrier
43 responded that the cost of interpretation is their greatest barrier
24 responded that they are not responsible for being able to communicate with LEP individuals
14 did not know what their greatest barrier is
We asked if licensed medical providers are legally required to provide interpretation/translation services to LEP patients:
81 responded YES
21 responded NO
66 responded that they werent sure