Interpretation services used for non-English language speaking patients with head and neck cancer: Findings from a tertiary London cancer centre
Background: Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) can lead to profound changes in swallowing function and nutrition. UK HNC standards recommend informational counselling is provided pre-treatment by the dietitian and speech and language therapist (SLT). Non-english speaking patients treated in En...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Oral Oncology Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277290602400075X |
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| author | Maesaya Chartkul Florence Cook Roganie Govender |
| author_facet | Maesaya Chartkul Florence Cook Roganie Govender |
| author_sort | Maesaya Chartkul |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) can lead to profound changes in swallowing function and nutrition. UK HNC standards recommend informational counselling is provided pre-treatment by the dietitian and speech and language therapist (SLT). Non-english speaking patients treated in English speaking countries have poorer treatment outcomes. UK guidance recommends all patients should have access to interpretation services where required. This audit aimed to investigate the language needs and utilisation of interpretation services for patients with HNC attending pre-treatment clinics. Methods: A retrospective casenote audit over two-years (2021–2023) of all patients attending pre-treatment clinics in a centralised London cancer centre. Information was collected from electronic hospital records on demographics, disease/treatment characteristics, first language; categorised as English primary language (EPL), non-English primary language (NEPL) and interpretation requirements; formal (professional interpreters) or informal (patients friends/relatives). Data was processed and collated using Microsoft Excel (Version 2308). Descriptive statistics were conducted using Excel Analysis ToolPak. Results: 408 patients were included. Most patients were male (67%), aged 61 ± 13 years. 18% (n = 74) had NEPL; 58 required interpretation services. Formal interpretation service was provided in 43% (n = 25), informal services in 33% (n = 19), and no service in 24% (n = 14). Non-adherence to formal services included lack of/inaccurate documentation of language needs, patient preference and lack of available interpreters. Conclusion: This audit indicated that barriers exist in utilising formal interpretation services. Future research should investigate how this can be optimised to ensure necessary language support is provided consistent with guidelines that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-afb24f8e8ac34eff96446a0c8c65e041 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2772-9060 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Oral Oncology Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-afb24f8e8ac34eff96446a0c8c65e0412025-01-09T06:15:25ZengElsevierOral Oncology Reports2772-90602024-03-019100229Interpretation services used for non-English language speaking patients with head and neck cancer: Findings from a tertiary London cancer centreMaesaya Chartkul0Florence Cook1Roganie Govender2Division of Medicine, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT, UKHead and Neck Unit, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 250 Euston Road, London, NW1 2PG, UK; Corresponding author.Head and Neck Unit, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 250 Euston Road, London, NW1 2PG, UK; Head & Neck Academic Centre, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, Charles Bell House, 43-47 Foley Street, W1W 7TS, UKBackground: Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) can lead to profound changes in swallowing function and nutrition. UK HNC standards recommend informational counselling is provided pre-treatment by the dietitian and speech and language therapist (SLT). Non-english speaking patients treated in English speaking countries have poorer treatment outcomes. UK guidance recommends all patients should have access to interpretation services where required. This audit aimed to investigate the language needs and utilisation of interpretation services for patients with HNC attending pre-treatment clinics. Methods: A retrospective casenote audit over two-years (2021–2023) of all patients attending pre-treatment clinics in a centralised London cancer centre. Information was collected from electronic hospital records on demographics, disease/treatment characteristics, first language; categorised as English primary language (EPL), non-English primary language (NEPL) and interpretation requirements; formal (professional interpreters) or informal (patients friends/relatives). Data was processed and collated using Microsoft Excel (Version 2308). Descriptive statistics were conducted using Excel Analysis ToolPak. Results: 408 patients were included. Most patients were male (67%), aged 61 ± 13 years. 18% (n = 74) had NEPL; 58 required interpretation services. Formal interpretation service was provided in 43% (n = 25), informal services in 33% (n = 19), and no service in 24% (n = 14). Non-adherence to formal services included lack of/inaccurate documentation of language needs, patient preference and lack of available interpreters. Conclusion: This audit indicated that barriers exist in utilising formal interpretation services. Future research should investigate how this can be optimised to ensure necessary language support is provided consistent with guidelines that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277290602400075XLanguage interpreter practicesInterpretation servicesCommunication barriersHealth services accessibilityTranslatingLanguage |
| spellingShingle | Maesaya Chartkul Florence Cook Roganie Govender Interpretation services used for non-English language speaking patients with head and neck cancer: Findings from a tertiary London cancer centre Oral Oncology Reports Language interpreter practices Interpretation services Communication barriers Health services accessibility Translating Language |
| title | Interpretation services used for non-English language speaking patients with head and neck cancer: Findings from a tertiary London cancer centre |
| title_full | Interpretation services used for non-English language speaking patients with head and neck cancer: Findings from a tertiary London cancer centre |
| title_fullStr | Interpretation services used for non-English language speaking patients with head and neck cancer: Findings from a tertiary London cancer centre |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interpretation services used for non-English language speaking patients with head and neck cancer: Findings from a tertiary London cancer centre |
| title_short | Interpretation services used for non-English language speaking patients with head and neck cancer: Findings from a tertiary London cancer centre |
| title_sort | interpretation services used for non english language speaking patients with head and neck cancer findings from a tertiary london cancer centre |
| topic | Language interpreter practices Interpretation services Communication barriers Health services accessibility Translating Language |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277290602400075X |
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