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In the Netherlands, 15% of the population, according to estimates, speak a language other than Dutch as their first language. With the diversification of the population, this figure is only anticipated to rise. Despite the fact that language obstacles can affect everyone, they can have a particularly negative impact on people who need medical treatment. Individuals who don’t understand Dutch could find it challenging to describe their symptoms to a doctor or nurse. This might delay diagnosis and treatment and result in misunderstandings of crucial instructions, like how to take medication or observe aftercare guidelines. When a patient can’t understand what is being said to them, they may decide not to receive therapy.
Translation
Effects on access to healthcare
Language problems have been identified as a major barrier to developing effective doctor-patient relationships in a number of research studies. Due to this deficiency, a lot of things have gone wrong and are still going wrong. The ability of a client to identify the services they needed, to get appointments, and to communicate efficiently with healthcare providers when seeking care and managing post-appointment care and follow-up is greatly impacted by their level of language proficiency. Typically, information regarding medical services is given in either English or Dutch. And most of them do not know how to speak or understand even English.
The inability to complete paperwork has resulted in the delay of urgently needed medical care. The immigrants are not able to understand English or other languages, and the intake documentation is usually not available in the patient’s native tongue. Also, the patient fills out the paperwork in their native tongue without the assistance of any hospital employee who can translate it. This has resulted in miscommunication between the client and the healthcare provider, which has consequently led to frustration between both parties and left them with unmet expectations.
The language barrier has profoundly impacted how patients and healthcare professionals interact therapeutically. Language problems have prevented several clients from effectively communicating their medical conditions; they can’t ask questions and consequently can’t understand their conditions. Healthcare professionals are frequently worried that individuals with language challenges won’t submit enough information regarding their health concerns. They usually encounter issues during physical examinations or when giving treatment instructions, which could have negative outcomes like the wrong route of administration of drugs or difficulty understanding drug regimens.
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Unfortunately, language interpreters are not always available at health facilities. Families frequently use volunteers working in the hospital system or bring along hired interpreters to the appointments. These ad hoc translators frequently lack the knowledge and expertise necessary to provide medical translation, which adds to the difficulties. Healthcare professionals might lack confidence that instructions are translated accurately. Doctors always wonder if they themselves are getting the correct information or just a summarized version. They found that some translators had difficulty providing clear directions during the collection of samples and diagnostic procedures, which caused delays in the delivery of care. This can be aggravating for medical professionals and prevent the formation of therapeutic alliances. Some patients were also worried that, during translation, their messages weren’t effectively conveyed to healthcare professionals. Furthermore, particularly for patients with mental health disorders, the presence of a medical interpreter usually causes problems with privacy and confidentiality. In order to facilitate culturally safe encounters for clients with mental illness, interpreters would have to get training; otherwise, the interaction could endanger the patient more than the illness itself. In addition, some patients are not comfortable receiving translation aid from family or people of the same community.
The management of chronic diseases, which calls for ongoing observation through regular clinic visits, is usually complicated by language problems. Even with medical translation, some patients still do not understand the stages of the treatment plan they need to adhere to in order to effectively manage chronic diseases. These patients struggle to schedule follow-up appointments, renew prescriptions, and follow medical advice if there are no further supports accessible after their appointments. Treatment adherence suffers in the absence of assistance and often leads to poor outcomes.
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Language-impaired patients frequently handle their own care and are frequently dissatisfied with it as a result of poor communication. Because there is no way to solve their language barriers, clients believe it is not worthwhile to seek treatment. Alternatively, they make use of home remedies that don’t give many benefits and sometimes even make the illness worse.
Remedies that could improve the situation
Adopting some strategies could make things better. Clients patronizing providers with ties to their ethnicity would be beneficial. They may also ask community organizations offering settlement assistance for information about healthcare services and how to get them. Women clients could also get other women to accompany them to the clinic and translate for them. Further, it may take several sessions to convey therapy and sample collection instructions. Health service providers and clients should schedule more visits.
Conclusion
It is important to encourage patients to have good health-seeking behaviors despite the barriers. Giving patients a say in their care empowers them, enhances services, and leads to better health results.
References
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