Using Family Members as Medical Interpreters: An Explanation of Healthcare Practitioners’ Normative Practices in Pediatric and Neonatal Departments in Australia

ABSTRACT

Both international tourism and migration of people with low English proficiency (LEP) to Australia are increasing. Thus, health-care practitioners (HPs) increasingly use interpreters to communicate with patients with LEP. Although qualified interpreters are the most suggested and policy-endorsed mechanism for communicating with patients with LEP, family members (FMIs) are also used as interpreters. This study investigated (a) when do health professionals consider it appropriate to use FMIs and (b) what characteristics of family members health professionals believe make them suitable to act as FMIs. As part of a larger project examining the decision-making processes of HPs regarding interpreter use, 69 HPs from neonatal and pediatric departments in one hospital in Queensland Australia were interviewed. Results indicated HPs thought the appropriateness of using FMIs depended on the type of information, such that it was either completely acceptable (e.g., explaining some basic or non-medical information) or completely unacceptable (e.g., confidential information or consent). However, in an emergency, when no other options were available, FMIs were used. The characteristics of suitable FMIs included age, level of English proficiency and medical understanding, and the relationship between patient and FMI. Results were to some extent consistent with Queensland government policies but there were notable differences, including using children and regarding FMIs as first preference. Improving HP’s knowledge of policies may increase their confidence in their practice and appropriate use of FMIs, thereby improving their care delivery to patients and families with LEP.     

A Novel Nomogram to Identify Candidates for Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection Among Patients with Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Diagnosed with Magnetic Resonance Imaging-targeted and Systematic Biopsies

Background

Available models for predicting lymph node invasion (LNI) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) might not be applicable to men diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsies.

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels inversely correlate with lung function improvement (delta FEV1) in cystic fibrosis patients receiving ivacaftor treatment

Background

We have recently shown that human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels correlate with the severity of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. However, there are no data on how HE4 levels alter in patients receiving CFTR modulating therapy.

Bilateral Implantation of Centromedian‐Parafascicularis Complex and GPi: A New Combination of Unconventional Targets for Deep Brain Stimulation in Severe Parkinson Disease

Objectives. Traditional deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has proved to be efficacious on core Parkinsonian symptoms. However, very disabling l ‐dopa–induced abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) and axial signs are slightly affected, suggesting that we target less conventional targets. Our candidates for DBS were the globus pallidus internus (GPi) plus the intralaminar thalamic complex (Pf or CM), given its extensive functional links with basal ganglia nuclei. Materials and Methods. The routine utilization of our innovative stereotactic apparatus allows us to implant, at the same time, both the CM‐Pf complex together with the GPi in six Parkinson disease patients. Both intraoperative and postoperative neurophysiologic assessments helped us recognize functional subregions while optimizing implantation of electrodes. Unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS) motor scores, AIMs, and freezing were carefully blindly evaluated for each condition. Results. A significant amelioration of UPDRS scores was achieved by simultaneous activation of both targets. CM‐Pf activation was only slightly effective in reducing rigidity and akinesia, but more efficacious on freezing. Not surprisingly, AIMs were peculiarly decreased by the activation of the permanent electro‐catheter in the posteroventral GPi. Conclusions. These findings confirm that, in selected patients, it is conceivable to target structures other than the conventional STN in order to maximize clinical benefit.