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Bridging the gap or damming the flow? Some observations on using interpreters/bicultural workers when working with refugee clients, many of whom have been tortured
Author(s) -
Tribe Rachel
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
british journal of medical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 0007-1129
DOI - 10.1348/000711299160130
Subject(s) - interpreter , refugee , bridging (networking) , psychology , bridge (graph theory) , mental health , limited english proficiency , sociology , health care , medicine , political science , psychiatry , law , computer network , computer science , programming language
This paper will comment upon some of the dilemmas inherent in the task of using interpreters/bicultural workers when working with refugee clients who have fled to Europe, many who have been tortured. A high proportion of refugees may not speak European languages or share explanatory health beliefs. The author would argue that these differencesshould not act as barriers to obtaining health and counselling services and that employing interpreters/bicultural workers may help to bridge these gaps and improve service provision and delivery.