The US Census confirms a rise in Spanish-speakers, many of whom have limited English proficiency (LEP) and require interpreters. Parent perceptions of interpreter services throughout hospitalization are unknown. To explore Spanish-speaking LEP parents’ views regarding roles of interpreters and providers (attending, resident, or nurse) during a hospital encounter, optimal modalities of interpretation, and barriers to services. Spanish-speaking LEP parents of children discharged from the hospital medicine service participated in focus groups. Sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed in Spanish, translated into English, and verified for translation accuracy. Qualitative methods were used for thematic analysis. Four sessions (n = 23 participants representing 15 families) were held. Parents felt the interpreter's primary role was to act as a conduit for word-for-word interpretation. They desired kind and trustworthy interpreters with medical knowledge. They saw providers as leaders of the encounter who should allot enough time for interpretation, not use Spanish unless they were fluent, and give frequent medical updates. In-person interpreters were preferred over telephone and video for their ability to convey body language and build relationships. Barriers to requesting interpreters included embarrassment and inability to directly request services, which resulted in using family members as interpreters. On family-centered rounds, parents preferred professional interpreters over bilingual providers. Modifications are required to improve interpreter services to meet the needs of LEP families. Parents emphasized in-person interpreters’ social skills, frequent provider updates, and additional navigation support as essential components of effective care. Next steps include implementing guidelines and interventions to optimize interpreter services.

中文翻译：

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家长的视角：针对住院儿童西班牙语口译服务的焦点小组研究

美国人口普查证实说西班牙语的人数有所增加，其中许多人的英语水平 (LEP) 有限，​​需要口译员。家长对住院期间口译服务的看法尚不清楚。探讨西班牙语 LEP 家长对医院就诊期间口译员和提供者（主治医生、住院医生或护士）的角色、最佳口译模式以及服务障碍的看法。从医院医疗服务机构出院的儿童的西班牙语 LEP 家长参加了焦点小组。会议以西班牙语进行录音和转录，翻译成英语，并验证翻译的准确性。采用定性方法进行主题分析。共举行了四次会议（代表 15 个家庭的 23 名参与者）。家长认为口译员的主要作用是充当逐字口译的渠道。他们需要善良、值得信赖、具有医学知识的口译员。他们认为提供者是会议的领导者，应该分配足够的时间进行口译，除非他们流利，否则不要使用西班牙语，并经常提供医疗更新。与电话和视频口译员相比，现场口译员更受青睐，因为他们能够传达肢体语言并建立关系。请求口译员的障碍包括尴尬和无法直接请求服务，这导致使用家庭成员作为口译员。在以家庭为中心的查房中，家长更喜欢专业口译员而不是双语提供者。需要进行修改以改善口译服务，以满足 LEP 家庭的需求。家长强调现场口译员的社交技能、频繁的提供者更新以及额外的导航支持是有效护理的重要组成部分。下一步包括实施指南和干预措施以优化口译服务。