Authors: Ton Miras Neira, Kara Hollins, Christina M. Pacheco, Clarissa Carrillo Martinez, Edward Ellerbeck, Elizabeth Ablah, Jordyn Coonrod & Sarah Finocchario-Kessler
This study evaluated a medical interpreter training program for bilingual community health workers in rural Kansas and found that it successfully improved their ability to help Spanish-speaking patients communicate with healthcare providers. Most participants completed the training and qualified to pursue national interpreter certification. They reported greater knowledge, confidence, and comfort in medical interpretation, while also gaining skills in ethics, professionalism, and cultural understanding. The findings suggest that training community health workers as medical interpreters can be an effective way to reduce language barriers and improve access to healthcare in underserved communities.
Link: Outcomes of a Medical Interpreter Training Program for Community Health Workers in a Rural Area of the State of Kansas, USA
Resource Topic: CHW training
Resource Type: Evaluation
Year: 2026
Region: North America (U.S. and Canada)
Country: United States of America
Publisher May Restrict Access: Yes