Health Communication Research Vol.14, No.2

Factors Associated with Comprehending Medical Consultations and the Need for Medical Interpreters when Caring for Foreign Patients

Nami Tanaka1), Haruka Izawa1), Harue Ando1), Hiroko Yabushita1),Francois Niyonsaba2), Ai Noda2), Naoko Ono2)

1) Master of Medical Interpreting, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University,2) Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University / Department of Medical Interpreting, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University

Background: There has been a recent increase in foreign residents and overseas visitors to Japan. This has meant that more non-native Japanese speakers are receiving medical care in Japan, leading to communication problems. This study aimed to clarify the factors associated with comprehending medical consultations and the need for medical interpreters among foreign patients. Methods: We distributed questionnaires to 1,810 foreigners who visited a hospital in Japan. Items covered personal attributes, medical examination status, illness perceptions, and patient satisfaction. We used logistic regression analysis to analyze the 151 valid responses and extract items related to comprehending medical consultations and the need for medical interpreters. Results: Comprehending medical consultations was significantly associated with “interpreters (patient’s language not English)” (OR =0.20, 95% CI [0.05, 0.79]) and “machine translation” (OR =0.15, 95% CI [0.03, 0.82]). The need for medical interpreters was significantly associated with “English respondent” (OR =4.45, 95% CI [1.14, 17.35]), “Chinese respondent” (OR =5.25, 95% CI [1.07, 25.85]), and “illness comprehensibility” (OR =1.24, 95% CI [1.00, 1.52]). Conclusions: Direct communication with a physician tended to increase comprehending of medical consultations more than the use of an interpreter. However, foreign patients still needed medical interpreters even when they could speak to physicians.

How did young people obtain medical and health information during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what factors caused dissatisfaction with obtaining information? The self-efficacy and e-health literacy perspective.

Hikari Kinjo1), Akane Suga1)

1) Faculty of Psychology, Meiji Gakuin University

This study aimed to explore how young people accessed medical and health information during the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigate factors that were associated with dissatisfaction when obtaining such information. An online survey was conducted among 642 undergraduate and graduate students living in Tokyo during the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. Results showed the participants accessed information mainly through TV and web sites. They recognized the importance of obtaining information, including about vaccination for COVID-19. They were dissatisfied when there was too much information because this made it harder to find reliable information. Structural Equation Modeling was conducted to examine the relationship between the factors associated with obtaining information and dissatisfaction. Perceiving that information was important influenced the degree to which information on COVID-19 was acquired, through desire to seek the information. We also found that general self-efficacy influenced the degree of both desire and information acquisition. Surprisingly, e-health literacy was not related to the degree of information acquisition, which may reflect the difficulty in obtaining useful information about COVID-19. Several factors were related to the degree of dissatisfaction with obtaining medical and health information, suggesting improving e-health literacy and instructing how to access appropriate medical and health information could reduce their dissatisfaction.

Development process and acceptability of an educational program on shared decision making for interprofessional team members in obstetric care

Wakako Osaka1), Yumi Aoki2), Rie Notomi3), Akiko Endo4), Miho Nakano5), Naoko Arimori6)

1) Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, Keio University,2) Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International University,3) Akita University Hospital,4) Chiba Faulty of Nursing, Tokyo Healthcare University,5) Graduate School of Health Science, Nigata University,6) School of Health Science Faculty of Medicine, Nigata University

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the process of developing an educational program to promote shared decision making among interprofessional team members working in obstetric care in Japan and to examine the acceptability of the program. METHODS: We designed the program drawing on understanding the current situation use of shared decision making in obstetric care in Japan, and comparing and examining two existing educational programs on this issue. The program consisted of individual learning (online on-demand) and group sessions (role-play and discussion, online live streaming) for members of interprofessional obstetric care teams working together in the same hospital. The program was offered to team members from two hospitals. We conducted an online post-program survey to assess acceptability. RESULTS: Thirteen participants said that the program was easy to understand and highly satisfactory, but three participants answered that the overall length of the program was not just right. CONCLUSIONS: The program could be disseminated to interprofessional obstetric care team members from different institutions in Japan. However, needs to be shorter and the method improved to make the program easier and comfortable for participants.

Methods for evaluating the quality of healthcare interpreting in clinical settings: a literature review

Taeko Hamai 1) , Ayako Nagata 2) , Naoko Ono 3) , Hiroaki Nishikawa 4) , Sadanori Higashino 5)

1) School of Nursing, University of Shizuoka,2) College of Nursing and Nutrition, Shukutoku University ,3) Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University,4) School of Nursing, Seirei Christpher University,5) School of Management and Information, University of Shizuoka

Objectives: This study aimed to discuss methods for evaluating the quality of medical interpretating, to contribute to patient safety and appropriate disease management. We examined studies that recorded interpreter-mediated consultations and analyzed the accuracy of interpreting and its potential to have a clinically significant impact.Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL using keywords limited to English-language publications. Overall, 131 articles identified of which 19 met the inclusion criteria.Results: Medical interpretating in clinical practice was evaluated based on whether it was accurate or inaccurate. We found eight reports that discussed whether interpreting was accurate or inaccurate, nine that mentioned errors made by interpreters, and three that mentioned both negative and positive alterations (including one reiterated). Potentially clinically significant alterations were discussed in 13 reports. These were divided into three categories: biomedical effects, effects on the physician-patient relationship, and effects on patient understanding and reassurance. Quantitative results were confirmed and explained using a qualitative approach.Conclusion: When evaluating the quality of healthcare interpreting in supporting patient safety and appropriate disease management, it is helpful to consider accuracy, negative and positive clinical impact created by the interpreter and a research design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.

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