Syrian refugees receiving information: an approach to dissemination of medical resources

Many refugees have unique health needs that may result from their resettlement. This study examined how Syrian refugees in the Cincinnati area prefer to receive medical information and the role that interpreters encompass in the doctor-patient relationship. Findings indicated that participants prefer to receive medical information via in-person interpreters, translated paper or digital materials, or text messages. Refugees from this study expressed that interpreters were commonly not present for medical visits and language confusion occasionally occurred even when they attended. Due to negative experiences, participants from this study did not always view interpreters as cultural brokers.