A pet peeve I have about bad translation is when a family member describes a patient's pain without asking the patient first. The worst example is when I asked the patient to point with one finger to where her pain was. Instead of asking his wife, the husband just reached out and pointed to a location on her back with one finger.
I don't think I know my husband well enough that I could pinpoint his pain with one finger. Then again, we haven't been married for 40 years like this couple probably was. So... yeah, that's something to look forward to.
In any case, this is why family members should not be the translator.
Because the translation phone service is so much better? I suppose if they had access to PRISM and enough metadata they might be able to deduce where the patient's pain is. But I think I'm still more comfortable having a family member help translate and steering them to ask/tell me what I need to know.
ReplyDeleteArguably. But a family member can also give you their own version of what the patient says and not translate exactly, and you can miss information.
DeleteSome couples are like that, but the vibe I get from you, you and your husband are not that type of couple. Not saying that is a bad thing, I will be the first to admit my wife and I will never be that couple, hell other than the ob visits I can’t picture either one of us going along with the other to a doctor’s visit. Does that make our marriage any less than a couple that does go with each other to describe their spouse’s pain? I think not. (I am ruling out the possibility one of us may have to turn into a primary care giver for the other, and then yes the tandem doctor visit will happen)
ReplyDeleteWhy do you get that vibe? I've actually accompanied my husband to multiple doctors appointments and ER trips.
DeleteI just find it very hard to believe that pinpointing pain with one finger is something anyone besides the patient should be able to do.
You come off as hardcore but he seems very needy, I don't have time to go back and find examples (and it does not really matter if I am right or wrong, as long you are happy toghter, I am happy for you)
DeleteMy husband knows me better than I know myself...
ReplyDeleteIt is possible that the patient had got her husband to try massaging/applying pain relief gel (as options) or just plain identifying the painful bit - I think I would probably have done so with my other half with that sort of place. There are other bits I WOULDN'T give even him access to...
ReplyDeleteI'm required by law to provide a translator to patients who do not speak English. Unfortunately, Medicaid often reimburses me less than it costs (considering overhead, staff time, etc.) to treat even English-speaking patients and I'm expected to cover the cost of a translator. I don't mind giving free care at my discretion, but I prefer to not have to pay out of my own practice's pocket to treat patients. It's an understatement that treating too many non-English speaking patients (even non-Medicaid) is cost-prohibitive due to the high cost of translator services.
ReplyDeleteI have been in a situation where I myself was translating. Actually, multiple times. For family members and non family members. Believe me, family translations DO NOT work and should not be allowed, unless of course it's an emergency. I have had to catch myself and rephrase what I THOUGHT the person meant, versus what they ACTUALLY said. Then I will rephrase what I said and repeat verbatim.
ReplyDeleteI have observed translations from a trained profession for a language I happened to know, and it was amazing. She was amazing. This is a skill, and it is an incredible skill. Unfortunately, these people are rare. We're still always stuck with random translators. Every other day, our hospital announcement system asks for a staff who speaks _____ language. Even though we have a translator line (it's obvious people hate the phone line).
Having personal experience with translating, and not having spoken emglish initially, I'm actually pretty good at picking up 'clues' from family and whoever is translating. I can generally tell when the translator is making stuff up, or adding a personal interpretation, and will then push deeper to get the actual answer.
This topic is obviously close to my heart, and I could go on forever, but I'll shut up now. Fizzy's concerns are very reasonable.