Speech pathologists and professional interpreters managing culturally and linguistically diverse adults with communication disorders: a systematic review.

Background: Speech pathologists who work with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) adults with acquired communication disorders (ACDs), in predominately English-speaking countries, are legally and ethically bound to work with professional interpreters to overcome language barriers and provide equitable services. As levels of migration and ageing populations continue to rise globally, there will be an increasing need for speech pathologists to work with professional interpreters to manage the growing numbers of CALD adults with ACDs. Speech pathologists and professional interpreters face unique challenges when working together due to the need to focus on the intricacies of communication.

Aims: This systematic review explores how speech pathologists and professional interpreters work together to manage CALD adults with ACDs by investigating the existing research context and the challenges and strategies reportedly used by these professions.

Methods & Procedures: A systematic quantitative literature review methodology was used to guide the review process, along with relevant items from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Five online scholarly databases (CINAHL, PubMED, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Web of Science) were searched using key search terms. Study inclusion criteria were: (1) original research reported in English; (2) informed our understanding of speech pathologists and professional interpreters working together; (3) focused on the management of ACDs; and (4) focused on working with CALD adults.

Outcomes & Results: Ten studies that met inclusion criteria were identified and included in the review. Half of the studies were conducted in Australia. Study designs were either surveys or single-case designs (e.g., case reports or qualitative case studies). Most participants were monolingual, female speech pathologists. Interpreter participants were mainly involved in assessment tasks using face-to-face service delivery. Common challenges reported by participants were speech pathologists being unsure of the accuracies of interpretations by interpreters, and unclear role expectations from both professions. Pre-session briefings and training of both professions were the primary strategies used and recommended.

Conclusions & Implications: This review identified emerging research relating to speech pathologist and professional interpreter interactions, which were limited predominantly to the perspectives of speech pathologists. Several challenges were reported. While strategies to facilitate interprofessional practice were proposed, the efficacy and utility of the strategies has not been investigated to date. Further in-depth studies are needed to examine how the professions work together, and to explore feasibility and effectiveness of implementing proposed strategies to optimize service delivery to CALD adults with ACDs.