Health professions student experiences with interpreter services: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) is increasingly common in the US and it is known that LEP patients face barriers including lower rates of access to care and poorer quality care. The use of professional interpreters or bilingual health providers has been shown to improve care and patient satisfaction and is legally required. Despite this, correct and consistent use of interpreter services by medical staff has been shown to be low even in the setting of knowledge regarding the importance. Health professions curricula have evolved to meet demands of excellent care across all domains including cultural competency. It is important to identify whether health professions students around the globe are being taught and experiencing interpreter service use in a meaningful way while in training. The objective of this study is to investigate and describe the experience with interpreter services that health professions students have as well as to identify gaps and potential future study. A scoping review will be conducted in order to collect all emerging data and not limit the review to primary research only.