Aitken Gabriela
AMA J Ethics. 2019 Mar 1;21(3):E232-238. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2019.232.
Spanish speakers make up 13.1% of the US population, and language barriers contribute to health disparities. Medical interpreters are essential for communication between patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and their clinicians. However, there is a shortage of interpreters nationwide; free clinics, where a large majority of patients with LEP receive care, are especially affected by this shortage. Many medical schools are associated with a free clinic, and medical students who speak Spanish can help fill this gap. Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, together with Interpreter Services at Loyola University Medical Center, created an interpreter certification program for medical students. Although there are challenges in certifying medical students as interpreters, doing so helps to build a workforce of well-trained, culturally competent physicians.
说西班牙语的人占美国人口的13.1%，语言障碍导致了健康差距。医学口译员对于英语水平有限（LEP）的患者与其临床医生之间的沟通至关重要。然而，全国范围内口译员短缺；绝大多数英语水平有限的患者接受治疗的免费诊所尤其受到这一短缺的影响。许多医学院都与一家免费诊所有关联，会说西班牙语的医学生可以帮助填补这一缺口。芝加哥洛约拉大学斯特里奇医学院与洛约拉大学医学中心的口译服务部门合作，为医学生创建了一个口译员认证项目。尽管将医学生认证为口译员存在挑战，但这样做有助于建立一支训练有素、具备文化能力的医生队伍。
