‘I understand all the major things’: how older people with limited English proficiency decide their need for a professional interpreter during health care after stroke

Abstract

Objective

To explore the process of decision-making of older people with limited English proficiency (LEP) about using a professional interpreter during their health care after stroke.

Design

A constructivist grounded theory approach was used. Up to two in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 older people with LEP from seven different language groups, and one older person who preferred to speak English, who had recently received health care after an acute stroke. Professional interpreters assisted with 19 of the 24 study interviews. Data were analysed and theoretical processes developed using a constant comparative method.

Results

Professional interpreters were not a strong presence in the health care experience after stroke for participants. The use of professional interpreters was a complex decision for participants, influenced by their perception of the language and health care expertise of themselves and others, their perceived position to make the decision and whom they trusted. Getting by in English allowed participants to follow rules-based talk of health professionals, but did not enable them to understand detailed information or explanation, or to engage in the management of their condition in a meaningful way.

Conclusion

Health professionals have an opportunity and a mandate to demonstrate leadership in the interpreter decision by providing knowledge, opportunity and encouragement for people with LEP, to use an interpreter to engage in, and understand, their health care after stroke. Health professionals may need to advise when interpretation is needed for health care situations, when communication difficulties may not be anticipated by the person with LEP.

Keywords:

• ethnicity
• limited English proficiency
• language
• communication
• interpreters
• health
• stroke
• qualitative research
• grounded theory
• interviews

Acknowledgement

The corresponding author gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the South Australian Department of Health in providing a scholarship for this research. The authors acknowledge the many patients, families and interpreters who participated in this study.

Notes

1. When participant data are directly quoted, the pseudonym and the language in which the words were spoken are given in brackets.