SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Interpreter Champion: Badge Buddies for Education and Advocacy for Interpreter Use

Pdf Summary

The document describes an educational initiative to improve interpreter use for patients and families with a language other than English (LOE), aiming to reduce care disparities associated with language barriers. It notes that LOE encounters are linked to higher readmission rates, less health education, and more adverse events, while concordant language use improves satisfaction, safety, and adherence.<br /><br />To address this, the authors created a curriculum with two main parts: a didactic session and an “Interpreter Champion” Badge Buddy tool. The Badge Buddy serves as an ongoing educational aid, a way to explore different teaching methods, and a prompt for advocacy and awareness around language access.<br /><br />A needs assessment of 62 participants found that 73% had no formal interpreter-related education, and there was no difference by training level. Half reported using interpreters 75–100% of the time. The didactic session was evaluated by 11 participants, all of whom said they learned something and expected to change their clinical practice; most felt better prepared to use interpreters.<br /><br />The Badge Buddy was accessed 18 times by 15 unique users and was described as a high-yield topic tied to patient encounters. The project suggests that combining interactive teaching methods and visible social accountability tools can improve knowledge, support better interpreter use, and encourage ongoing advocacy for language access.

Asset Subtitle

Cassandra Nelson

Meta Tag

Author List Cassandra Nelson, Hosanna Au, Melanie Ratnayake, Zia Bismilla

Category Innovations

Concept Language Barriers

Concept Interpreter Use

Concept Patient Safety

Concept Health Outcomes

Concept Interpreter Champion Curriculum

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Pittsburgh

Presenter Organization Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Presenting Author Cassandra Nelson

Track Education

Keywords

interpreter use

language access

language other than English

health disparities

didactic session

Badge Buddy

interpreter education

patient safety

clinical practice

advocacy

Language Barriers

Interpreter Use

Patient Safety

Health Outcomes

Interpreter Champion Curriculum