Table 5.

Strategies Employed by Families When Encountering Language Barriers

Strategies Used by Families and Illustrative Quotes
Requesting interpreters
“If I need to make another appointment, I need to call an interpreter to do everything because if not, I don't understand anything.”	“Si necesito hacer alguna otra cita tengo que yo llamar un intérprete para hacer todo eso porque si no, no entiendo nada.”
Prepared questions ahead of time to make best use of interpreter time
“Well, the doctors, I write notes on a piece of paper about everything I'm going to ask them, everything that I need to tell them so that I don't forget anything while the interpreter is there.”	“Pues los doctores, yo apunto en una hoja todo lo que voy a preguntarles, todo lo que tengo que decirles para que no se me olvide nada mientras está el intérprete ahí.”
Becoming accustomed to new systems
“With the help of the interpreter…those numbers, the fever…when you come from a different country, the measurements are different, the whole blood pressure check is different, everything is managed differently there…now I understand it.”	“Con la ayuda del intérprete…esos números, la fiebre…como uno viene de un país diferente, que las medidas son diferentes, que todo ese chequeo de presión es diferente, todo se maneja diferente acá, ahora ya lo entiendo.”
Using limited English skills
“Well, for me it was fine because I speak a little English, but it's important that maybe there was someone for the people who don't speak any English to complete their appointment.”	“Bueno para mí fue bien porque yo hablo un poco de inglés pero si es importante que quizá hubiera alguien para las personas que no hablan nada de inglés para realizar su cita.”
Using patient or family member to communicate
“My daughter is the one who speaks for me, although I don't like it because I would like to say things for myself.”	“Mi hija es la que habla por mí…aunque no me siento a gusto porque a mí me gusta decir las cosas ‘yo.’”
Pretending to understand completely
“…Sometimes, sometimes you…you act like you understand…So that they don't have to ask you again.”	“…A veces, a veces uno …uno hace como entiende…Para que no tengan que preguntarle de nuevo.”