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Debriefing with Interpreters Post Sexual and Reproductive Health Consultations with Refugees from Burma

Amita Tuteja*, Elisha Riggs, Lena Sanci, Lester Mascarenhas, Anna Power, Di VanVliet, Katrina Sangster, Kim McGuiness, Meredith Temple-Smith

Context: Debriefing is an essential part of all interpreter mediated appointments but is critical in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) consultations. It allows both interpreters and health care providers (HCPs) to clarify specific issues, for instance, appropriateness of specifi c reproductive health terminology. However, the interpreters’ code of ethics specifies that interpreters keep all participants informed of any side comments made by any party. Thus, interpreters who may be keen to discuss what they could not say during the consultation, may hesitate to do so, even if a debrief is offered by the HCPs

Objective: To explore the perspectives of HCPs, interpreters, and community members regarding uptake, organization, and utility of debriefing in primary care consultations in context of refugees from Burma.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 community members from Burma and providers of refugee services closely involved with them which included general practitioners (n=8), nurses (n=14), interpreters (n=10), social practitioners (n=11), and practice managers (n=3). Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Research team members reached consensus on coding, thematic analysis and key results.

Results: Four major themes emerged namely: (a) Debriefing challenges (b) Ethical conflicts (c) Organizational difficulties (d) Potential solutions. For example, “Not one interpreter has ever agreed for a debrief session”. An interpreter says, “I think debriefing is not permitted as patient is left out”.

Conclusion: Given the identification that both HCPs and interpreters face ethical dilemmas, resolution or normalization of these conflicts will be central to increasing debriefing uptake. The findings from this study can guide culturally appropriate research initiatives to increase the uptake and utility of debriefing post interpreter mediated SRH consultations with Burma-born refugees.