Communicating Effectively with Limited English Proficiency Patients: Incorporating Training on Working with Medical Interpreters in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum

Background: As the number of patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) grows in the United States, medical trainees must be competent to provide care to LEP patients with the use of professional medical interpreters (MIs). Since little time in undergraduate medical education (UME) is devoted to this competency, we developed an educational workshop on effective communication with professional MIs and Spanish-speaking LEP patients. Methods: : In the winter semester of 2022, a two-hour required workshop was implemented with first-year medical students at Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine. This featured four educational strategies: 1) Facilitator-led instructional simulation activity, 2) Interactive didactic via PowerPoint, 3) Small group clinical case discussion, and 4) Large group MI simulation activity. Participant volunteers completed an anonymous, pre - and post-workshop evaluation and a self-assessment to determine post-intervention readiness to interact with MIs. Results: : Of the 51 participants, 43 (84%) completed the pre- and post-workshop evaluations. Approximately 83% reported “little to no” or “limited” Spanish language fluency. Participants reported a statistically significant ( p <0.05) increase in their confidence to explain the importance of using MIs to improve LEP patient care, and to demonstrate both respect for the individual and cultural humility when using MIs. The self-assessment showed an increase in the average score for all questions tested. Ninety-eight percent of the participants strongly agreed or agreed that the workshop met its objectives. Thematic analysis of qualitative feedback centered around three major themes: MI need, MI practice, and medical Spanish knowledge. Conclusions: : Our curricular intervention was successful in increasing self-reported measures of skills and best practices on how to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking LEP patients with the use of MIs. Implementation of MI training programs in UME can be a successful strategy to prepare trainees to provide care for the growing LEP population.