In the medical industry, ensuring accessibility for everyone is vital. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, health disparities have increased, making it harder for vulnerable populations to access quality medical services. Fortunately, some services provide innovative solutions to make medical services accessible and equitable for all. These are professional linguistic services.
Due to the rise of globalization in the medical sector, patients travel to different countries to access quality treatment. However, travelling to different countries can create language barriers and miscommunication. This leads to unsatisfactory health outcomes for patients. Linguistic agencies offer professional solutions, such as medical interpreters, who can facilitate and enhance communication.
But among the wide array of medical interpreters, how do you ensure the one you choose is the most suitable?
To answer this question, we must explore some handy tips on choosing the right medical interpreter.
Tips to Choose the Right Medical Interpreter
Language Eloquence
Perhaps the most vital skill for a medical interpreter is language expertise. This is not limited to linguistic proficiency but includes fluency during medical communication. The interpreter must be an expert in both the source and the target language and must speak clearly, being mindful of complex pronunciations and non-verbal cues. It is the interpreter’s responsibility to properly explain complex medical procedures—such as diagnosis, treatment, and other relevant information—to the patient.
Cultural Know-How and Confidentiality
Professional interpreters must not just be linguistic experts but also be familiar with the patient’s cultural background. Respecting a patient’s core beliefs helps to convey sensitive nuances of medical information appropriately.
Additionally, interpreters must be discreet about medical treatments and not disclose sensitive patient information to the outside world.
To get accurate medical interpretation services, it is essential to look for agencies that follow strict privacy policies, such as signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
Do you know that the Spanish language holds high significance in medical interpretation? Check out this blog to know more: The Significance of Medical Interpretation in the Spanish Language!
Behavioral Traits
Conversations between doctors and patients can be stressful. Medical interpreters often deal with nervous patients and must build trust and confidence in the treatment and doctors. Furthermore, they must avoid bias and provide accurate and clear information without hiding any details.
Technology Expertise
Having a tech-savvy interpreter is an added benefit. Professionals with knowledge of recent trends in technology can be beneficial in providing efficient interpretations. This includes better platforms for remote interpretations, AI-powered interpretation and speech recognition tools, and a digital medical terminology database. A professional linguist can use these technological advancements to provide accurate medical interpretation services.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WORLD-CLASS MEDICAL INTERPRETERS?
Then contact us and get the best interpreters available in the industry!
Certification and Experience
It is essential to check whether the interpreters are certified through reputed associations. Some of these associations are the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA), the California Healthcare Interpreting Association (CHIA), and the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare (NCIHC). A certified medical interpreter follows the ethical standards set by these associations. These codes are designed to protect the patient’s interests and enhance communication in the medical sector.
You can explore the various medical interpretation codes of ethics by clicking here.
Summing Up!
Now that we’ve explored how to choose a medical interpreter, it is essential to consider the services that provide them. A professional translation company, like Somya Translators, offers a wide range of top-tier medical interpreters. These skilled native professionals offer high-quality medical interpretation services.
With extensive experience of over 16 years, we are the perfect destination for diverse medical linguistic support. Certified under ISO 17100:2015, we have worked with several renowned medical organizations, helping them mitigate language challenges.
Some of our medical linguistic services include:
- Forward Translation
- Double Review
- Reconciliation
- Back Translation
- Comparative Review Equivalency
- Clinical Review
- Cognitive Debriefing
- Linguistic Validation for Clinical Trials
- Medical Interpretation Services
So, let’s connect and explore how our immaculate medical linguistic services can benefit you the most!