406 - Provider Perspectives and Experiences Accessing Language Interpretation Services in Pediatric Healthcare Settings: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Kari H. Guo, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Toronto, ON, Canada; Ananya Banerjee, McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Montreal, PQ, Canada; Ji Yoon Kim, McGill University, Toronto, ON, Canada; Patricia Li, McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Montreal, PQ, Canada

Background: Language inaccessibility can foster inequities in health outcomes, service utilization, and patient and caregiver satisfaction in pediatric care. Informal means of addressing linguistic barriers in healthcare can carry risks such as inaccurate interpretation leading to miscommunication and lack of confidentiality in sensitive discussions. Use of professionally trained medical interpreters is associated with improved safety and outcomes, but barriers persist. Providers’ perspectives and experiences with using language interpretation services is currently lacking in the literature and are important to understand how these services are being accessed and could be improved to address health disparities in pediatric care among diverse populations.

Objective: We conducted a descriptive qualitative study to explore 1) pediatric providers’ experiences accessing language interpretation services, 2) how language impacts the care provided to patients and families, and 3) how to best support providers with respect to the language needs of the patients and families.

Design/Methods: Using purposive and snowball sampling, pediatricians who 1) worked in a Canadian pediatric hospital, 2) were able to speak and understand English and/or French, and 3) consented to participate in the research were recruited from June 2023 to January 2024. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until saturation. We analyzed interview data using thematic analysis and the Levesque Framework for healthcare access.

Results: A total of 20 pediatricians across 7 provinces and 12 Canadian pediatric hospitals were interviewed. All hospitals had some form of language interpretation services, with increased access to virtual interpreters since the COVID pandemic. All participants knew of the existence, availability, and importance of interpreters. They understood the appropriateness of interpretation services to facilitate clear communication as part of providing holistic and equitable healthcare. Barriers to accessing interpreters remain, including lack of timely services, pediatrician compensation, and training and standardization. Pediatricians offered suggestions at the organizational level on how to prioritize and improve access to interpreters to enhance equitable healthcare and promote inclusion.

Conclusion(s): Although language interpretation services have recently improved, pediatricians reported ongoing barriers in the approachability and availability of interpreters for providers and patients. Continuous investment in interpretation services is needed to further reduce inequitable language barriers in the pediatric healthcare settings.

Figure 1. Dimensions of Levesque Framework adapted to accessibility of language interpretation services.
Figure 1.pdf

Table 1. Participant demographics
Table1Demographics.pdf