Yuka Yumazaki
Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
Title: The impact of the characteristics of interpreters on the care satisfaction of foreign patients
Biography
Biography: Yuka Yumazaki
Abstract
Background & Objectives: In Japan, the number of foreign residents is increasing. In addition, the numbers of foreign visitors will also increase because of the Olympic in 2020. Therefore, it is crucial for the Japanese government to develop a system for foreigners to live in and stay at Japan comfortably. In particular, language barrier prevents foreigners from accessing hospitals and having smooth communication with doctors. Recently, several articles suggest that appropriate interpreters specialized in medical fields are necessary for foreign patients to see doctors generally. However, previous studies mention that sometimes family members or friends with the similar cultural background as patients are more effective than certified interpreters. Therefore, to identify what type of interpreters is appropriate in Japanese hospitals, we conduct a questionnaire survey.
Methods: We are planning to collect total 250 foreign visitors and residents who visit the department of general medicine in Tokyo Medical University with an interpreter. Inclusion criteria is those who are 20 years and older and those who were born in foreign countries. Questionnaire and psychological tests will be conducted. Questionnaires were developed in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Question items are mainly patients’ demographics, social economics, disease, and interpreter’s demographics. Visual Analogue Scale and Profile of Mood of States will be used to evaluate patients’ care satisfaction. Qui square tests and Logistic Regression Model are used for data analysis.
Results & Conclusions: We will start this survey in April. Therefore, in this conference, we will present the progress of this research.