4 strategies to bridge language gaps in the ambulance

In the fast-paced realm of prehospital health care, where every moment is critical, effective communication stands as the cornerstone for delivering top-notch patient care. At Care to Translate, we know of the complex challenges faced by healthcare professionals in ambulance services, especially when language becomes a critical barrier. In this blog post, we will delve into experiences shared by prehospital medical professionals, shed light on the complications they encounter and the innovative solutions they use.

Accepting language challenges as part of the job

For many prehospital healthcare professionals, encountering patients with language barriers is an essential part of their daily responsibilities. But instead of viewing it as an obstacle, they embrace it as a challenge. Their approach involves finding on-the-spot solutions, even though these may not always be optimal for the patient.

"We are accustomed to it. It's not that I think of it as a hindrance, we simply address it on the spot."

This positive perspective shows the resilience of professionals who navigate through language hurdles seamlessly. They acknowledge the challenge, while prioritizing immediate care.

The impact on patient care and safety

Insufficient patient information due to language barriers raises concerns among prehospital healthcare professionals. And it becomes even more important to have a keen clinical eye when assessing the patient's condition. However, language barriers can impact how well medical history is obtained, potentially risking the quality of care.

“More is required of me as a carer not to miss anything. Patients often share a lot with us, and it's easier when it’s presented straightforwardly."

Professionals note that in severe cases, less communication is required as symptoms speak for themselves, allowing for a more symptomatic approach to treatment.

A burden on emergency departments

The language barriers are intricately linked to difficulties in determining the appropriate level of care for the patient. Uncertainty in patient assessment or their ability to comprehend self-care advice often leads to more cases being referred to emergency departments. While this may improve access to interpreter resources, it also unnecessarily burdens emergency services.

"It means that we more often bring patients, who don't really need emergency care, to the emergency departments. And in doing so, creating a strain on the emergency department."

4 strategies to bridge the gap

The impact of language barriers goes beyond medical care. Ambulance personnel highlight that the lack of effective communication also affects the emotional and social aspects of patient care, making it hard to establish trust and provide emotional support.

But healthcare professionals in ambulance services employ various strategies to overcome language barriers, each with its merits and shortcomings:

1. Professional interpreters

While useful, healthcare staff express reservations against using professional interpreters due to long wait times and limited availability during the patient encounter.

2. Utilizing family members as translators

Despite being against guidelines, practitioners often resort to using family members as translators due to pragmatism, acknowledging it's not always an ideal solution.

3. Non-verbal communication

In situations where verbal communication fails, emphasis is placed on non-verbal cues such as body language and gestures to convey critical information.

4. Technological solutions

While the utilization of translation applications and digital aids is acknowledged as a promising solution, challenges, such as inaccuracies in longer translations, persist, particularly when relying solely on machine translation without human verification.

A medical translator in you pocket

One solution that is not mentioned in the thesis is our medical translation app. Differing from machine translation, Care to Translate offers a phrase library of predefined phrases, verified by native speakers with medical expertise. The app offers a faster, more secure and more standardized way to translate and communicate in acute situations. 

Learn more about how the app can be tailored to ambulance services here.

Other factors that impact effective communication

Communication challenges extend beyond language barriers, encompassing issues such as hearing impairments, cognitive difficulties, and differences in cultural understanding and educational levels. Healthcare professionals stress the interconnected nature of these barriers, emphasizing that overcoming one may not guarantee effective communication.

"It's not just the language barrier. There are so many more steps, so many limitations that make it difficult."

In conclusion

Navigating communication challenges in emergency services is a multifaceted journey. At Care to Translate, we are committed to exploring innovative solutions that bridge these gaps, ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care, no matter the language. Join us in this endeavor to make healthcare communication seamless, efficient, and universally accessible.

Further resources

• ‍Book a demo to learn how your department can utilize our app to improve patient care
• Watch a prerecorded demo
• Watch the recorded webinar "Talk to all patients in the ambulance"
• Read the blog post "Game-changer for communication in ambulances"

This blog is based on a thesis from the Linnaeus University titled "Ambulance personnel's perceptions of language barriers", written by Helena Lisborg and Benjamin Palm.