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Medical Interpreting Services for Refugees in Canada: Current State of Practice and Considerations in Promoting this Essential Human Right for All

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  • Akshaya Neil Arya

    (Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 3L8, Canada
    School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
    Kitchener-Waterloo Centre for Family Medicine Refugee Health Clinic, Kitchener, ON N2G 1C5, Canada)

  • Ilene Hyman

    (Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

  • Tim Holland

    (Department of Bioethics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
    Newcomer Health Clinic, Halifax, NS B3L 4P1, Canada)

  • Carolyn Beukeboom

    (Kitchener-Waterloo Centre for Family Medicine Refugee Health Clinic, Kitchener, ON N2G 1C5, Canada
    Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P8, Canada)

  • Catherine E. Tong

    (School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Rachel Talavlikar

    (Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T3H 0N9, Canada
    Mosaic Refugee Health Clinic, Calgary, AB T2A 5H5, Canada)

  • Grace Eagan

    (Language Services & Digital Strategy, Access Alliance Multicultural Health & Community Services, Toronto, ON M5T 3A9, Canada)

Abstract

Language barriers, specifically among refugees, pose significant challenges to delivering quality healthcare in Canada. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the emergence and development of innovative alternatives such as telephone-based and video-conferencing medical interpreting services and AI tools, access remains uneven across Canada. This comprehensive analysis highlights the absence of a cohesive national strategy, reflected in diverse funding models employed across provinces and territories, with gaps and disparities in access to medical interpreting services. Advocating for medical interpreting, both as a moral imperative and a prudent investment, this article draws from human rights principles and ethical considerations, justified in national and international guidelines, charters, codes and regulations. Substantiated by a cost-benefit analysis, it emphasizes that medical interpreting enhances healthcare quality and preserves patient autonomy. Additionally, this article illuminates decision-making processes for utilizing interpreting services; recognizing the pivotal roles of clinicians, interpreters, patients and caregivers within the care circle; appreciating intersectional considerations such as gender, culture and age, underscoring the importance of a collaborative approach. Finally, it provides recommendations at provider, organizational and system levels to ensure equitable access to this right and to promote the health and well-being of refugees and other individuals facing language barriers within Canada’s healthcare system.

Suggested Citation

  • Akshaya Neil Arya & Ilene Hyman & Tim Holland & Carolyn Beukeboom & Catherine E. Tong & Rachel Talavlikar & Grace Eagan, 2024. "Medical Interpreting Services for Refugees in Canada: Current State of Practice and Considerations in Promoting this Essential Human Right for All," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-25, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:5:p:588-:d:1388003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michaela Hynie & Annie Jaimes & Anna Oda & Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard & Laura Perez Gonzalez & Nicole Ives & Farah Ahmad & Ben C. H. Kuo & Neil Arya & Nimo Bokore & Kwame McKenzie, 2022. "Assessing Virtual Mental Health Access for Refugees during the COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Levesque Client-Centered Framework: What Have We Learned and How Will We Plan for the Future?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Jacobs, E.A. & Shepard, D.S. & Suaya, J.A. & Stone, E.-L., 2004. "Overcoming Language Barriers in Health Care: Costs and Benefits of Interpreter Services," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(5), pages 866-869.
    3. MacFarlane, Anne & Dzebisova, Zhanna & Karapish, Dmitri & Kovacevic, Bosiljka & Ogbebor, Florence & Okonkwo, Ekaterina, 2009. "Arranging and negotiating the use of informal interpreters in general practice consultations: Experiences of refugees and asylum seekers in the west of Ireland," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 210-214, July.
    4. Bruce Newbold, K., 2005. "Self-rated health within the Canadian immigrant population: risk and the healthy immigrant effect," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(6), pages 1359-1370, March.
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    1. Nancy Clark & Cindy Quan & Heba Elgharbawy & Anita David & Michael E. Li & Christopher Mah & Jill K. Murphy & Catherine L. Costigan & Soma Ganesan & Jaswant Guzder, 2024. "Why Collect and Use Race/Ethnicity Data? A Qualitative Case Study on the Perspectives of Mental Health Providers and Patients During COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(11), pages 1-21, November.

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