On one of my previous placements where i was seeing musculoskeletal outpatients a patient was booked in for me to see who spoke no English. In the past i have seen patients who speak broken English but never any patient who speaks hardly any English at all. To help with this an interpreter had also been booked to assist with the treatment session this again was not like any other treatment session i have experienced in my physio endeavours.
With a full subjective required to gain information on the patients problems i had no idea how i would be able to find out enough information to treat a problem, and i was unsure of whether to direct my question to the interpreter who would understand them or to the patient who would have no idea of what i was saying in English.
On discussing this with one of the physios at the clinic they informed me it was still important to direct the questions at the patient as it was they who have come to seek treatment and not the interpreter, the interpreter was only there for help in translating the questions to the pateint so they could understand them and then also translating the patients answer so a clear picture of the patients problem could be ascertained.
So through directing the questions to the patient I think a better report was developed with the patient and in the end i was able to carry out a full subjective and objective examination gaining all the information required and then treat the patient with good results, and with seeing the patient several times i was even able to pick up some words in the patients language which i could use say in describing pain or movements and i think the patient appreciated that this was done.
IN THE FUTURE WHEN THE SITUATION ARISES I FEEL I WILL BE MORE CONFIDENT IN BEING ABLE TO TREAT THE PATIENT AS I WOULD ANY OTHER, THAT IS THROUGH ASKING THE EXACT SAME QUESTIONS TO THE ACTUAL PATIENT (INTERPRETERS ARE GREAT TOO). AND EVEN THOUGH THE PATIENT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, ENGLISH BACK PAIN IS THE SAME AS SPANISH BACK PAIN
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I came across a similar situation at orthopaedic inpatients placement. I treated a Bosnian lady for her TKR however she did not speak a word of english. Along with an interpreter other strategies I employed to communicate with this patient was to encourage her family to participate in the physio sessions and for the family to write out a list of Bosnian words and its english conversion. This was great as the patient was able to tell me to "stop" and when she had experienced "pain" etc. This made for more effective communication at subsequent treatment sessions.
I had an opportunity to sit in and observe a continence assessment done by my CCE during my WH placement. The patient did not spek a word of English and there was an interpreter. What she did mainly was directed all questions to the patient as if the interpreter wasn't there and when it came to the patient having to answer the question, she answered directly to my supervisor. I was impressed at how the session went went smoothly and looked effortless. This just goes to show that having a non english speaking patient is not a barrier to giving a well-rounded and effective treatment. I've also realised that with so many immigrants we see on clinics, we should really try and make an effort in improving our skills with communicating with these group of patients.
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