Strategy. Professionally Trained Medical Interpreters
Approach. Support the development of a training program for medical interpreters
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Overview. Professionally trained medical interpreters provide interpretation services for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) in outpatient and inpatient health care settings.
Evidence. Scientifically Rigorous Evidence.
Strategies with this rating are most likely to be effective...
Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.
Potential Data Sources. Data to support this strategy can be accessed through:
- Grant applications and funded project documentation
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Training program curriculum and materials
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Training program participant data and feedback
Outcome Components.
This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes
(Read more about these categories):
- Community Health Factors.
- Patient Experience of Care. This study improves individuals' perceptions, feelings, and satisfaction with the healthcare services they receive.
- Access to/Receipt of Care. This strategy increases the ability for individuals to obtain healthcare services when needed, including preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services.
Detailed Outcomes.
For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy,
access the peer-reviewed evidence
and read the Intervention Results for each study.
Intervention Type.
Health Teaching (Education and Promotion) (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the
Public Health Intervention Wheel).
Intervention Level.
Community-Focused
Examples from the Field.
Access descriptions of ESMs
that use this strategy or aligned components.
Sample ESMs.
Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework
(see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).
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Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort (“What/how much did we do?”)
- Number of partnerships established with language service providers, healthcare systems, and community organizations to recruit and train medical interpreters. (Measures collaboration to build an interpreter workforce)
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Number of outreach events conducted to raise awareness about the importance of professional medical interpretation services among healthcare providers and limited English proficient. (LEP) communities. (Measures efforts to generate demand and support for the program)
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Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort (“How well did we do it?”)
- Percent of training sessions led by certified medical interpreters with experience in both healthcare and language access services. (Measures the qualifications and expertise of the training faculty)
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Percent of newly trained medical interpreters who receive ongoing mentoring and performance feedback from experienced interpreters. (Measures the support provided for skills development and continuous improvement)
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Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect (“Is anyone better off?”)
- Number of healthcare facilities that have adopted policies and procedures for the systematic use of trained medical interpreters. (Measures the institutional integration of language access services)
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Number of medical interpreter positions created or funded within healthcare systems as a result of the training program. (Measures the program's impact on workforce development)
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Number of LEP patients who receive care with the assistance of trained medical interpreters. (Measures the utilization and reach of interpretation services among communities with limited access to interpretation services)
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Number of preventive screenings, immunizations, and chronic disease management services provided to LEP patients with the support of trained medical interpreters. (Measures the program's impact on access to essential healthcare services)
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Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect (“How are they better off?”)
- Percent of healthcare facilities in the jurisdiction that have implemented language access plans including professional medical interpretation services. (Measures the adoption of systemic approaches to language assistance)
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Percent of program graduates who receive ongoing professional development to adapt to the evolving needs of LEP populations. (Measures the commitment to workforce skills maintenance and improvement)
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Percent increase in the proportion of LEP patients who report feeling confident to ask questions, express concerns, and participate in shared decision-making during healthcare encounters with trained interpreters. (Measures the program's effect on patient engagement and self-efficacy)
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Percent improvement in the linguistic competence of healthcare services, as measured by standardized assessments and patient feedback, following the integration of trained medical interpreters. (Measures the program's system-wide impact on the provision of patient-centered care)
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Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:
- Move from measuring quantity to quality.
- Move from measuring effort to effect.
- Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
- The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.
Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.
