Released on: October 24, 2007, 12:07 pm

Press Release Author: National Council on Interpreting in Health Care

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: ALBANY, NY, October 22 - A report released today by the
National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) describes the diverse views
of stakeholders from across the United States regarding the certification of health
care interpreters.

Press Release Body: ALBANY, NY, October 22 - A report released today by the National
Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) describes the diverse views of
stakeholders from across the United States regarding the certification of health
care interpreters.

Amid the growing clamor for national certification for health care interpreters as a
means to improve the quality of health care services for patients with limited
English proficiency, the report reveals the complexities of developing a credible
and technically sound certification process.

Commissioned by the NCIHC, the report was written by Maria-Paz Beltran-Avery, PhD,
and showcases the results of 12 forums with 460 participants representing 31 states
that were held across the nation throughout the past year. The purpose of the
forums was to gather and compile input from various stakeholders regarding their
views on certification. The participants who voiced their opinions through the
forums ranged from health care interpreters (71%) to interpreting service managers
(16%), as well as health care administrators and providers (8%).

"This is the topic of most concern in the field right now, and the forums were a
chance to hear directly from many stakeholders and initiate a dialogue about the
issues around certification," explained Joy Connell, NCIHC board co-chair.
"There appears to be a direct link between the concepts of certification and quality
among forum participants", commented Beltran-Avery, author of the report. "However,
the report also reveals the many interrelated elements and decision points involved
in undertaking a certification development process that is inclusive, thoughtful,
systemic, comprehensive, and, most importantly, culturally and linguistically
respectful."

The report lays out some of the key conditions that forum participants believe are
important to ensure credibility and success of the process. "Clearly stakeholder
buy-in and support are key, along with the availability of the training and
educational programs needed to prepare for taking any kind of test. The other
critical piece is having an independent neutral body to steer the process in order
to make sure that it is one that is collaborative and inclusive," Connell pointed
out.

A free copy of the report can be requested via email (joyconnell55@aol.com). More
information, including National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health
Care and other working papers on related topics, are available at
http://www.ncihc.org.

About the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care

The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care is a multidisciplinary
organization based in the United States whose mission is to promote culturally
competent professional health care interpreting as a means to support equal access
to health care for individuals with limited English proficiency. The NCIHC started
as an informal working group in 1994 and met yearly until it was formally
established in 1998. The group is composed of leaders from around the country who
work as medical interpreters, interpreter service coordinators and trainers,
clinicians, policymakers, advocates and researchers. For additional information,
visit www.ncihc.org.



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Web Site: http://www.ncihc.org

Contact Details: National Council on Interpreting in Health Care Joy Connell
617) 626-8133 joyconnell55@aol.com