(6) A Two-Step Training Program for Utilizing Interpreters During Patient Interactions: Advancing Student Pharmacists Communication Skills

Objective : To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a two-step training pilot program in the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum to prepare students to utilize interpreters during patient interactions.

Methods: The Advanced Communications and Counseling Skills course was a two-step program developed to train professional year two (P2) student pharmacists to effectively utilize language interpreters during patient encounters. Step One of the program included online modules demonstrating the importance of utilizing language interpreters, and how to effectively utilize the interpreters. Step Two of the program included a faculty observed standardized patient encounter where the use of an interpreter was required to counsel. Students then demonstrated the communication skills acquired at a health fair for patients that spoke a language other than English. Student perspective, comfort, confidence of using interpreter services were measured and compared pre and post program implementation. Patient satisfaction of P2 communication skills were also assessed.

Results: The Two-Step program was developed and implemented. A total of 23 P2 students completed the program. Overall, summary statistics indicate trends for student improvement in all areas, with students' confidence in using an interpreter significantly improved. All students were satisfied with the training modules (100%) and the majority felt prepared in using an interpreter (94.4%). Patients were very satisfied (76.5%) or satisfied (23.5%) with the students’ ability to utilize an interpreter during the patient encounter at the health fair.

Conclusions: The Two-Step program provides students training on how to effectively utilize interpreters. Students are receptive to participating in the course and satisfied with the communication skills acquired. Embedding this course in the pharmacy curriculum could increase student confidence and have a positive impact on patient communication experience.