The objective of this pilot project was to provide an educational component on the use of interpreter services at our institution, and to perform and observe standardized interpreter encounters with standardized patients in our simulation center, including debrief sessions.

Non-English-speaking patients may receive inferior care when compared to English-speaking patients. Efficient use of interpreter services and formal training may help bridge the gap, including simulation centers and the use of simulated participant/ patient encounters with interpreter services.

The training was 3 hours and began with a lecture component on best practices when using interpreters for patient encounters, and information on interpreter services at our institution. Training continued with non-English simulated participant/ patient encounters with virtual or in-person interpreters, and residents were able to perform and observe a history and physical examination. Feedback was provided by the simulated participant/ patients. Questionnaires included confidence with different aspects of encounters with patients who were non-English speakers, and responses were compared pre- and post- training.

All nine adult neurology resident physicians of one class participated. Only 22% had previous training on clinical encounters with an interpreter. When answering “I am confident my patients who use interpreters provided me with the correct history,” 33.3% answered agree or strongly agree prior to training, and 88.9% post training.  When answering “I am confident my patients who use interpreters understand the diagnosis/ plan,” 44.4% answered agree or strongly agree prior to training, and 88.9% post training. All respondents answered agree or strongly agree to the statements “This training exercise provided important knowledge for clinical encounters with patients who speak other languages,” and “This training exercise should be a required part of medical curriculum.”

Including a 3-hour course with standardized lecture on best practices, and simulation of non-English encounters is feasible, effective, and well received for adult neurology residents.