Service Translation: Introduction to Patients with the Limited English Language - Essay Example

Patients with limited English language Insert Insert Introduction to Patients with limited English language Language is a means of an effective communication between individuals. However, in order for communication to be effective, the two parties need to be conversant with the language of their choice. English is a language that any people speak across the world. In addition, there are countries that have their first language apart from English. In addition, these countries are currently studying English in order to enable their communication to be effective across the globe. Because English is a language that all cannot properly and communicate, it is vital that there be need of service translations. Language translation service is the mechanism that most organizations use to translate information from one language to another. However, most organizations have different perception relating to the language translation service. For instance, health centers are the likely places that can employ this service because it serves individuals from every corner of the world, and these people speak different languages. However, not all health centers use this mechanism in their workplaces. There is those that find the mechanism challenging and not reliable means of communication between the patient and the nurses or doctors (Anderman & Rogers, 2003). On the other hand, there are hospitals that are providing this technique of language translation service in their organizations. With the difference from language translation service, the two types of health centers are currently operating differently in terms of service provision to their clients. For the case of the of the health centers that are using the language translation service, they are attending to patients from across the world who speak different languages. It is because of the aid of the language translation mechanism. On the other hand, the health centers that are not using the service are mostly treating the local patients. That is, the patients who use English as their first language (Schaffner, 2000). However, the use or misuse of the service between the two kinds of health centers has its own merits and demerits. However, the research shows that, the health center that uses the language translation services have more advantages as compared to the one that does not use the language translation service. The research explains this through analyzing the flow of patients to the two kinds of health centers within a particular period. Service translation is the process of translating a message from one language to the other. Health centers are social places that all are free to attend and receive medication without any discrimination. However, without good communication, the patient and the doctor cannot understand what one is telling the other. Therefore, it is crucial to have service translator to act as a mediator between the two parties. The primary role of the service interpreter is to ensure that both the doctor and the patient are reading from the same script. Most international hospitals or health centers receive visitors or clients from all parts of the world. Therefore, it is important that the management ensures that it hires its employees across the world to facilitate communication within the health centers. In addition, the management should ensure that it has adequate language translation service in the health centers. The language translation service that the health center employ need to have the code of conduct to guide its operations at any particular time. Significance of the problem Patients with limited English language are likely not to receive good attendance from the doctors and nurses who use English as their first language. For instance, most Chinese speaking people always go through a hard time trying to explain their state to the nurse in charge of the health center. Therefore, most Chinese, who reside in other countries like in the US and UK, needs to find the assistance of the person who can speak English fluently. However, finding just anybody who does not understand the code of conduct of that particular profession can jeopardize the kind of confidentiality that need to be between the patient and nurse. Proper treatment of a particular disease requires that the patient gives good explanations to the nurse. However, one cannot receive quality medication because of lack of good communication between the patient and the nurse. Therefore, language translation service needs to be in hospitals and health centers to facilitate effective and efficient communication between the patient and the therapist, as well as the proper medication. Therefore, the health centers will have to train its language translation service providers. Once the health center has the reliable language translation service within the health center, it will receive patients from across the globe because of their quality service and availability of language translation service. With the aid of language translation service, the health center will improve the provision of the service to the clients. In addition, language translation mechanism helps in time-saving. That is; it will take the nurse a shorter time to understand what the patient will be saying as compared to the information the nurse will obtain directly from the patient. Background of the problem The Language barrier can significantly contribute to inefficiency in most organizations. For instance, 90 % of the Chinese speaking people who leave in USA always have a terrible time when it comes to medication. It is because; the Chinese are people who have the Chinese language as their first language and the national language as well. Therefore, it will not allow them to either understand or speak a different language. As a result, most health centers across the world are facing challenges because of a language barrier (Schäffner, 2004). As a result, the heath centers are now developing the language translation service in o0rder to enhance communication between the patient and the nurse or the doctor. Moreover, language translation, will also aid health centers management to understand the daily problems that are likely to face its clients and, therefore, provide adequate and timely measure. Technology has made the world like a local village in that; many people can travel from one place to another, or they might seek help online. Therefore, language can become a stumbling block towards the delivery of efficient service to the clients. Health centers also are welcoming the changes through the provision of language translation service to its clients for effective and efficient communication and delivery of service. From the previous research relating to language provision service, most people and health centers did not accept the services from the language translation mechanism. It has made service delivery in health centers very difficult more to people with limited English. In addition, the research shows that individuals had a negative attitude towards language translation service because of beliefs, culture and fear of confidentiality. However, this is gradually changing with time. For instance, in the year 2004 out of 10 health centers only 3 had employed the language translation service. However, currently the research shows that 90% of the total health centers in the developed countries are now using the language translation service to serve the people with limited English. However, there is an increase in the level of customer service as well as the quality of the service that clients receive within a particular time. It is because, the language translation service is helping the nurses and the doctors to retrieve the information that they are looking at the patients without a lot of difficulties. Advantages of language translation service in health cares Most individuals who use English as their secondary language will get help from this system. Therefore, the system enables the proper exchange of information between the two parties, hence allowing the formation of an informed decision. In addition, the language translation service makes the health center environment look friendly and welcome to a person who has limited English or does not entirely understands and English language. The service also helps in reduction of mistakes or accidents in the medication process. It is because the nurse or the doctor will get sufficient information that will facilitate the medication process. Provision of proper medication relies on the information from the sick person. Therefore, adequate information from the sick person or person looking for help will be helping the attendant to administer the right medication to the client. Death rates will also reduce because of increase in the use of language translation service in health centers. That is; the patients will be able to explain their condition properly to nurses and doctors through the service and hence receiving timely medication. The technique will also earn the health center a positive corporate image (Pia̜tkowska & Kościałkowska-Okońska, 2013). Non-English speaking patients will talk good of the health center hence turning more clients to the health center. In addition, the service will also improve the relationship between the patient and the nurses because of proper communication among them. Disadvantages of language translation service Apart from having great merits to the clients and the health centers, the language translation service also has its demerits to both the patients and the health center at large. First, the mechanism is not 100 % reliable that it will deliver information as per the expectation of the either party. Therefore, information distortion can give a very different meaning of the information that might make to make a costly decision. Therefore, the mechanism is not reliable for sourcing information from the patient with limited English language. Recommendations Because, language translation is an emerging issue in the health centers, the management need to ensure that it properly trains its employees so that they can assist in that process. In addition, the management should also ensure that there are adequate manuals that will help individuals in language translation. Moreover, not all people will be friendly to language translation service. As a result, the management of health centers should ensure it has employees with good public relations who can handle the patients with limited English just like any of the patient. Conclusion Language translation service is a tool that most health centers are using to communicate with its clients. The technique is enabling the health centers to provide quality service to its customers and in a desirable manner. Moreover, the outcome of the language translation service is greater because the technique enables the nurse or the doctors to obtain reliable information in relation to the health of the patient. Reference Anderman, G., & Rogers, M. (2003). Translation today. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. PiaÌœtkowska, K., & KosÌciaÅ‚kowska-OkonÌska, E. (2013). Correspondences and contrasts in foreign language pedagogy and translation studies. Cham: Springer. Schaffner, C. (2000). Translation in the global village. Clevedon, Avon, England: Multilingual Matters. Schäffner, C. (2004). Translation research and interpreting research. Clevedon, England: Multilingual Matters. Read More