Tongue-tied in Singapore : communication challenges faced by Tamil-speaking elderly in local healthcare settings

Abstract

Language barriers hinder patients with Limited-English-Proficiency from attaining high-quality healthcare services, which in turn undermines the healthcare quality of a country. To minimize the language barriers, professional interpreters are hired in healthcare settings. However, in Singapore, untrained interpreters such as family members and healthcare staff aid with the translations for elderly patients with LEP. Thus, this paper aims to uncover the language barriers faced by Tamil-speaking elderly and the effectiveness of the current interpretation service in the local healthcare setting. Through a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews, 5 elderly and 5 family members of these elderly were interviewed. Based on the results it was discovered that the Tamil-speaking elderly feel tongue-tied in local healthcare settings thus they are over-reliant on the untrained interpreters and on their own memory to counter any language barriers faced. In addition, the results revealed that the interpretations provided by the untrained interpreters are seen as ineffective and inadequate in meeting their demands, resulting in dissatisfaction with the service provided, affecting the quality of healthcare service provided. Taken together, the findings indicate the need to prepare well-trained professional interpreters to provide quality patient care, which would improve the quality of medical care provided in Singapore.