Interpreter Accuracy and Informed Consent Among Spanish-speaking Families with Cancer

Language interpreters mediate a growing number of health care communication events, including the informed consent process, which underlies the ethical conduct of clinical research. This article explores a key interpretive outcome, accuracy, in 21 Spanish/English informed consent consultations. Disc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of health communication 2006-07, Vol.11 (5), p.509-522
Main Authors: Simon, Christian M., Zyzanski, Stephen J., Durand, Ellen, Jimenez, Xavier, Kodish, Eric D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Cancer
Child
Child, Preschool
Communication
Communication Barriers
Family
Female
Health care
Health technology assessment
Hispanic Americans
Humans
Infant
Informed Consent
Jargon
Male
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Neoplasms
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Quality of life
Social research
Spanish language
Translating
United States
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Summary:Language interpreters mediate a growing number of health care communication events, including the informed consent process, which underlies the ethical conduct of clinical research. This article explores a key interpretive outcome, accuracy, in 21 Spanish/English informed consent consultations. Discussions were transcribed, translated, and coded according to established techniques. Most (74%) discussion was accurately interpreted (range: 47%-98%; std. deviation: .137). Accuracy was lower in the more technical portions of the discussion when compared with nontechnical portions such as discussion of coping and quality-of-life issues (p = .024). The concept of "randomization" often was poorly communicated and interpreted. These differences may be due in part to the use of long, uninterrupted, and jargon-filled sentences by clinicians explaining research, among other factors. The article concludes that accuracy may be promoted if clinicians used less technical language and shorter sentences, and are more "process driven." Interpreters may need to be better informed about research-related concepts such as randomization. Further research is needed to determine the effects of interpretive accuracy on the informed consent process, the decision to participate in research, and other outcomes.
ISSN:1081-0730
1087-0415
DOI:10.1080/10810730600752043