Effective healthcare interpretation ensures every patient receives clear, compassionate care — regardless of the language they speak. Whether you’re working with a medical interpreter in person or using a video remote interpretation (VRI) service like Voyce, following best practices makes all the difference.
Here’s how to collaborate effectively with a remote interpreter in hospitals and other medical settings.
1. Speak to the Patient, Not the Interpreter
Direct your words to the patient as you would in any conversation. Instead of saying, “Ask the patient if they feel…,” simply ask, “Do you feel…?” This approach maintains a strong provider-patient connection and fosters trust. Maintaining eye contact with the patient helps reinforce this habit.
2. Pace Yourself — Pause Often
If working with a signed language interpreter, speak at your normal pace. If working with a spoken language interpreter, give the interpreter time to relay each part of the conversation. Speak in short, clear sentences, and pause regularly so the healthcare interpreter can keep up. Avoid long, complex statements that may be harder to interpret in real time.
3. Keep Language Simple and Clear
Medical interpretation is more effective when providers use plain, straightforward language. While Voyce interpreters are trained to accurately interpret complex medical terminology, try to avoid slang, jargon, or complicated terms when possible.
If a technical term is necessary, be ready to explain it in a way the patient can understand. The reason is simple: not every English idiom or turn of phrase has a direct corollary in other languages, which can lead to imprecise language that is at risk of being misunderstood.
4. Ensure Patient Understanding
Just as you would with any patient, confirm their understanding.
Ask the patient to repeat key instructions in their own words or acknowledge understanding. Interpreters assist with communication, but healthcare providers are ultimately responsible for ensuring that patients understand what they say.
5. Respect Cultural Nuances
Communication styles vary across cultures and individuals. Some patients may prefer indirect communication, while others may be more direct. If your healthcare interpreter intervenes due to cultural misunderstandings, work with the patient and the interpreter to address the situation to improve patient comfort and understanding.
Voyce interpreters are trained in addressing communication breakdowns due to cultural misunderstandings, so don’t hesitate to ask the interpreter to mediate if needed.
6. Never Use Family Members as Interpreters
While it may seem convenient, using family or friends as interpreters is a compliance violation and can compromise accuracy, confidentiality, and even medical outcomes. A trained medical interpreter follows ethical guidelines and ensures messages are conveyed impartially and accurately. In addition, you don’t want to add more responsibility to family members; you want them to focus on supporting the patient through their healthcare journey.
7. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients Need ASL, Not Writing
For patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing, always work with a qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. Writing notes is not an effective substitute. In some cases, a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) may also be appropriate — ask the patient or interpreter if this is needed.
8. Expect Variations in Interpretation Length
Some languages require more words than others to express the same idea. The interpretation of your words may be longer or shorter than what you originally said — this is normal and necessary to ensure accurate communication.
9. Everything Gets Interpreted — Choose Words Wisely
Do not say anything you do not want interpreted or repeated. Interpreters relay every spoken word during a session to support the communicative autonomy of all parties involved. Use straightforward sentences and always finish thoughts and ideas.
10. Allow the Interpreter to Make Their Introduction
When the medical interpreter joins the session, allow time for their introduction and instructions. The interpreter will greet the provider and patient, identify themselves, and signal they are ready to begin the session. Of course, the exception is if your patient has a true emergency.
The Role of Medical Interpreters: A Vital Link in Healthcare
Medical interpreters are essential partners in patient care. By following these interpretation best practices, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, build trust, and ensure every patient receives the care they deserve.
Want to learn more about how professional medical interpreters improve outcomes? Book a demo.
