Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Nursing

Advisor/Mentor

Dr. Emily Richardson

Committee Member

Dr. Hope Ballentine

Abstract

Background: Language and interpretation barriers are significant challenges for refugees receiving healthcare in the United States. Both providers and refugee patients associate effective communication with a positive healthcare experience. Therefore, it is important to identify themes in interpretation barriers to promote productive communication between providers and refugee patients.

Purpose: To identify themes in literature surrounding interpretation challenges between refugees and healthcare workers in the United States and compare them to lived experience in a clinic in Northwest Arkansas.

Methods: Several databases were searched, including CINAHL, Medline, HealthSource, and Google Scholar, and articles were chosen with the inclusion criteria being research articles with studies related to interpretation challenges in healthcare settings with refugee patients in the United States published in the last seven years. Exclusion criteria included the research setting being in other countries, patient populations that were not refugees, and articles published prior to seven years.

Results: There were several themes identified from the literature, including linguistic barriers, time constraints, competence of interpreter and healthcare worker, and benefits of in-person or remote interpretation.

Conclusion: The themes identified were consistent with personal experience. Implications include advocating for a greater amount of time during appointments, exploring the option of using appropriately trained in-person interpretation, and assisting providers to grow in competence using interpretation services.

Keywords

refugee, healthcare, interpretation challenges, United States

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