Emergency Department Presentations by International Migrants Requiring Interpreter Service: An Observational Study

Abstract

Objective: To describe interpreter services provided to international migrants in the emergency department (ED). Methods: This observational study used health service data pertaining to all patient presentations made to two public EDs between 2019 and 2021. Results: In total, 4560 patients required an interpreter. An 18-month subset data showed that an interpreter was requested for 47 of the 2509 patients in the ED. Thirty-eight patients received the service. Conclusions: This study has identified a significant gap between interpreter service requirements and utilisation. Further research is recommended to explore the barriers and decision-making process of interpreter service utilisation in the ED.