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Table 4 Advantages and disadvantages of different types of bilingual workers used in the study

From: Overcoming language barriers in community-based research with refugee and migrant populations: options for using bilingual workers

Type of worker Positives Negatives
Professional Interpreters Verified fluency in English and community language Expensive
  Well organised service for booking interpreters No facility to help with participant recruitment
   Difficult to find interpreters for some languages
   Some problems with interpreters answering for participants
Bilingual/Bicultural Students Provides practical experience for students in their field of study Required intense supervision
  Often have good community networks to recruit interview participants Limited professional experience on which to draw if client became distressed
  Often speak community languages where there is limited access to interpreters Potential for social desirability bias as most women interviewed knew the student personally
   Level of language proficiency in community language was not accredited
Overseas- trained Health Professionals Level of fluency in community language often recognised by an overseas university Required some supervision
  Good understanding of confidentiality, boundaries & referral processes Required intensive assistance with aspects of the Australian employment system
  Good professional experience on which to draw if participant became distressed Potential for social desirability bias as most women surveyed knew them personally
  Often have experience in / interest in research, so already understand research protocols  
  Good community networks to find women to interview  
Community- sector Bilingual Workers Good understanding of confidentiality, boundaries, referral processes Heavy workload, so difficult to find time to interview new arrivals
  Good professional experience on which to draw if participant became distressed Potential for social desirability bias as most women surveyed already knew them
  Good community networks  
  Require minimal supervision