Communication Strategies for Nurse–Patient Language Barriers.

The article focuses on effective communication strategies for oncology nurses when using interpreters to ensure patient understanding, particularly in culturally and linguistically diverse settings. It emphasizes the nurse's responsibility to confirm comprehension, noting that patients often need repeated explanations in lay terms due to stress and unfamiliar medical language. The use of professionally trained medical interpreters—who provide real-time, accurate, and confidential interpretation—is highlighted as essential for overcoming language and cultural barriers, improving health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Best practices include preparing with the interpreter before the encounter, engaging the patient actively during the interaction, and obtaining feedback afterward to enhance communication quality.