Citation

Zoraster RM. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2011; 5(2): 159-163.

Affiliation

Dr Zoraster is with the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii and Medical Director, Disaster Response, Operation Smile.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1001/dmp.2011.42

PMID

21685310

Abstract

Health care providers face multiple difficulties in providing care to a disaster-stricken community. Training, preparation, and a good attitude are important, as is adequate logistical support. An often-ignored issue is the difficulty encountered with language barriers during a response, and how using interpreters affects the quality and impact of the health care provided. This article reviews the use of interpreters and focuses on how they may affect an international health care response.

Language: en