Public/Professional Education

Interpreter Guidelines:
Intercultural Communication in a Health Setting
by Gisela Rodriguez, LCSW

Information provided in a health setting is very specific, at times technical, and often emotionally charged for the patient and family. Frequently, important decisions on the part of the patient and the health professional are made based on the information communicated. Also, the attitudes of all involved are influenced by the communication.

The manner in which the interpreter and the health professional communicate with the patient will make a great deal of difference in how the patient accepts the information emotionally and intellectually.

There is a difference between translating and interpreting. When you translate, each word is transcribed into the other language. Interpreting requires knowledge of the ideas behind the words and understanding the culture of the person(s) you are speaking to (both the patient's and the health professional's frame of reference).

The following are some recommendations that are obvious but at times difficult to follow in a busy work environment. When interpreting, it is important to let the health practitioner know if you obtain information that may influence the outcome of the interaction. Example: the patient cannot read in his/her own language, a family member is providing inaccurate information, the patient is not being truthful, etc..

Recommendations for Interpreters

  • Attempt to confer with the health profesional you are assisting before seeing the patient. There may be known problems, such as, financial, confusion about the purpose of the interaction, time limitations (yours or the patient's) etc..or a difficult topic.

  • If you sense the patient is inhibited by the presence of a family member or someone in the room, let the health practitioner know tactfully.

  • Get a sense of the patient's educational level. Gear the information to that level.

  • Share with the health professional if the patient has a strong belief, influence or particular emotional state. This includes lack of trust in the medical profession or the institution. If the patient is very anxious, he/she may not understand or "hear" what is being said.

  • Be open minded about the information provided both from the patient and medical personnel. Remember neither you nor the health professional are in the role of judge or decision-maker. · Be very careful about confidentiality! Do not mention any details about the case outside of the professional environment. Also, if you personally know the patient, you may not be the best person to translate for them.

  • If you do not understand the meaning of a term, do not hesitate to ask the health practitioner or the patient. If you do not know the word(s) in the other language do not panic. Let the health professional know that you are stuck and an alternate method of explaining may be found. · Ask the health practitioner or patient to slow down if the explanation requires longer than the English version or vice versa.

  • After the interaction, if the patient makes contact with you, let the health practitioner know. This patient may need additional services. Additional counseling may be needed if the patient did not understand or retain what was previously discussed

Interpreter Assistance Regarding Genetic Services

We at UMDNJ-Genetic Center Outreach Program are available to you for materials in different languages and a genetic glossary in English and Spanish. Do not hesitate to call us if you have a communication problem. A phone call or a resource referral may help. Outreach telephone: 973 972-3302, Fax: 973 972-3310, e-mail: rodriggi@umdnj.edu

Genetic Service Resource Bibliography for Spanish Language Interpreters

Guízar-Vazquez, J., Genética Clínica . Segunda Edición. Santa Fé de Bogota, México: Editorial El Manual Moderno S.A. de C.V., 1994. Publisher's address: Av. Sonora 206, Col. Hipódromo, Deleg. Cuauhtémoc, 06100 México, D.F.

Kelz, R. K. Conversational Spanish for Medical Personnel . New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1982.

Lara, R. R., Nuevo Diccionario Médico . Barcelona, Spain: Editorial Teide, 1984.

Libraire Larousse, The American Heritage Spanish Dictionary . Boston: Houghton Miffin Company, 1986.

Rodriguez, G., et. al, Genetic Counseling Glossary . Second Edition. Newark: New Jersey Medical School, 1997.

Stedman's Diccionario Médico : 25th Edition. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1993

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