Eliminating Inequities with Interpretation: Effective Communication for Improving Health Outcomes

In this episode, Anna Ruman, MD, and Nancy Casillas join us to discuss the importance of effective and accessible interpretation and translation services. They explain how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has specifically identified language access as one of the five priority areas for the next year, aligning with the shared goal to reduce or eliminate healthcare disparities. 

Dr. Ruman is a hospitalist at Children’s Hospital Colorado and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine  

Casillas is a medical interpreter and program coordinator for hospital interpretation and translation services at Children’s Colorado.   

• How medical interpreters enhance health equity 
• Advantages and disadvantages of different types of interpreting
• Qualifications for medical interpretation services
• Advancements happening at Children’s Colorado
• How a lack of proper interpreter utilization impacts patient care
• Best practices for working with interpreters