Am J Psychiatry 1980; 137:1530-1533
Copyright © 1980 by American Psychiatric Association
The misunderstood Spanish-speaking patient
F Kline, FX Acosta, W Austin and RG Johnson Jr
The authors examined the reactions of Spanish-speaking patients and of
therapists to initial therapy interviews conducted with or without an
interpreter. Twenty-one patients who used an interpreter, 40 bilingual
patients, and the 16 psychiatric residents who conducted the interviews
completed questionnaires aimed at evaluating therapy and communication
effectiveness. A number of patient and therapist perceptions were
significantly different. Patients interviewed with interpreters felt
understood and helped and wanted to return, whereas the therapists
responded that patients seen with interpreters felt less understood and
less helped and did not want to return. The authors recommend more
bilingual/bicultural therapists and an effort to help present therapists
realize how valuable their efforts with patients who need an interpreter
are.
