New Zealand health professionals have not been taking the services of professional interpreters even though they have been aware of the risk of miscommunication, says a report published in the Medical Journal.

Two studies conducted by the University of Otago, Wellington, have revealed that just 14% of the health professionals have been taking the help of interpreters while dealing with patients from non-English background. The rate is too low despite professionals’ knowledge regarding the help they can get from such interpreters.

The study observed the services of 141 health professionals working at Wellington, Hutt Valley, and Kenepuru hospitals. These doctors were inquired about their way of dealing with the patients and it was notified that the 20 doctors who were interviewed were not taking any help of interpreters during the treatment procedure of the non-English proficient patients.

Another study published in the Australian Journal of Primary Health, initiated by Ben Gray of the University of Otago, Wellington, notified the same results and has urged the doctors to make better use of the interpreters so that no risk is attached while the treatment is carried out.

The study revealed that at the Newtown Union Health Service, the doctors used the interpreter for the treatment of 53 patients out of the 378 patients during a week, though the help was required in more number of cases.