KBIA Local
(2009-09-22)
COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
The MU Center for Health Policy is making it easier for those who don't speak English to seek medical attention. One of the center's newly funded projects will provide virtual medical interpretation through the Missouri Telehealth Network. Center for Health Policy Director Karen Edison says sometimes it is hard to find in-person translators for every language."The next best thing is having them on video, having a culturally competent native speaker in the patient's own language who's not a family member who's a trained medical interpreter."
Edison adds that the need for this is increasing as the international population grows. Through a two-year grant, the video interpretation is free to health care providers across the state. The Language Access Metro Project and MU Center for Health Policy teamed up with the Missouri Telehealth Network for this project. It is funded by Health Literacy Missouri. © Copyright 2010, KBIA
