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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

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01.12.2014 | Original Paper

Language Barriers in Mental Health Care: A Survey of Primary Care Practitioners

verfasst von: Camille Brisset, Yvan Leanza, Ellen Rosenberg, Bilkis Vissandjée, Laurence J. Kirmayer, Gina Muckle, Spyridoula Xenocostas, Hugues Laforce

Erschienen in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Ausgabe 6/2014

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Abstract

Many migrants do not speak the official language of their host country. This linguistic gap has been found to be an important contributor to disparities in access to services and health outcomes. This study examined primary care mental health practitioners’ experiences with linguistic diversity. 113 practitioners in Montreal completed a self-report survey assessing their experiences working with allophones. About 40 % of practitioners frequently encountered difficulties working in mental health with allophone clients. Few resources were available, and calling on an interpreter was the most common practice. Interpreters were expected to play many roles, which went beyond basic language translation. There is a clear need for training of practitioners on how to work with different types of interpreters. Training should highlight the benefits and limitations of the different roles that interpreters can play in health care delivery and the differences in communication dynamics with each role.

The term “client” was chosen over “service user” or “patient” in this paper, as mental health practitioners in Montreal appear to favor its use [3].

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Titel: Language Barriers in Mental Health Care: A Survey of Primary Care Practitioners
verfasst von: Camille Brisset
Yvan Leanza
Ellen Rosenberg
Bilkis Vissandjée
Laurence J. Kirmayer
Gina Muckle
Spyridoula Xenocostas
Hugues Laforce
Publikationsdatum: 01.12.2014
Verlag: Springer US
Erschienen in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Ausgabe 6/2014
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Elektronische ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9971-9

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