By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    An Expert’s Guide To Building and Improving Endurance
    June 30, 2022
    medical assistants
    What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
    April 5, 2022
    superfoods to help with prostate health
    10 Healthy Foods That Can Help Protect Your Prostate
    August 29, 2022
    Latest News
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    pfizer and clinical data transparency
    Pfizer to Expand Clinical Trial Data Access, Takes Step Toward Transparency
    December 6, 2013
    Improving Healthcare Services And Management Through Tech Integration
    June 9, 2020
    obamacare and the uninsured
    Why Hospitals Are Still Gouging the Uninsured
    January 7, 2014
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The Vital Role of Medical Interpreting Services In Healthcare
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Technology > Medical Innovations > The Vital Role of Medical Interpreting Services In Healthcare
Medical Innovations

The Vital Role of Medical Interpreting Services In Healthcare

Medical interpreters play a very important role in improving the doctor-patient relationship and boosting the quality of care.

Aises Jammy
Aises Jammy
Share
6 Min Read
medical interpreters
Shutterstock Licensed Photo - 1694217811 | by fizkes
SHARE

There are many great careers in the healthcare sector. One career many people haven’t considered is medical interpreting.

Contents
Understanding medical terminology is keyThe risk of lawsuitsReassure the patientBenefits of using a trained interpreterAccurate medical report/historyLess stressImproved efficiency

Medical Interpreting is an important part of medical service delivery and today hospitals and adult care facilities that cater to patients from different countries deploy stand by interpreters to aid interaction between doctors and their patients. Medical interpreting can only be done effectively by professional medical interpreters. They help patients who have limited English speaking abilities and they are easier to relate with especially when in tense situations when the patient is in distress.

In the medical industry, the quality of communication matters a lot and may be the difference between life and death. For doctors and caregivers to provide the quality care they need to understand the current state of their patients. Therefore, they are crucial for helping improve the doctor-patient relationship. This is what makes certified interpreters the best for medical interpreting than an untrained person.

Understanding medical terminology is key

Certified interpreters are familiar with medical terms and they also understand the importance of doctor-patient privacy. This is why all interactions between both parties are kept under the oath of secrecy by the interpreter even though he or she is a third party in the communication pipeline.

More Read

Screen Shot 2015-09-02 at 2.15.28 PM
The Future (Ours) is in China for Medtech
Will Wireless Capusle Endoscopy Replace Colonoscopy?
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Video Interview of Jurrian van Rijswijk on #GamesforHealth @ Doctors 2.0 & You 2015 #doctors20
Making Healthcare Mobile: How U.S. Clinics Keep Pace with Medical Software Innovations

Furthermore, their human relations skills come into play during interactions. The doctor may be a trained professional with all the knowledge about drugs and medical procedures, but they may lack understanding in communicating in a different language. Even if they have a limited understanding of the language they may not be able to communicate certain concepts in a language that the patient can understand.

This situation may cause the patient distress or even worse. But with the help of a trained third party, medical interpreting is made easy. They can convey the information in a language that the patient can understand.

The risk of lawsuits

Healthcare professionals and establishments have to consider the possibility of lawsuits when dispensing healthcare services to patients in their facilities. Communicating the wrong message may lead to loss of life or injuries that will attract sanctions from the authorities or a lawsuit brought by the patient. All this can be avoided if medical interpreting is done by a certified interpreter.

Reassure the patient

A medical facility or hospital can be a terrifying place for a patient and made even more terrifying if they can’t understand a single word that is said. Language barriers may lead to confusion and distrust which may cause the patient to withhold certain information about their condition.

But if an interpreter is involved in the process, they can speak a language the patient understands which will only serve to break down barriers and evoke trust.

Benefits of using a trained interpreter

If your hospital, clinic, or facility caters to the needs of foreign patients you definitely need an interpreter on duty for every shift. As the global population becomes more dispersed, many more patients will be admitted into your facility who can’t speak the official language. Without an interpreter, the staff will likely run into communication problems.

Here are some benefits of using trained interpreters for medical interpreting.

Accurate medical report/history

A patient’s medical report or history is critical; this is why doctors always rely on one when examining their patients. They like to know if the patient has a family history of certain conditions or if they react to any particular type of drug, etc. Patients who cannot speak English will not be able to provide this information. Those with a limited understanding of the language may not be able to translate certain medical terminologies;

However, with a medical interpreter, this information can be accurately relayed to the doctor. With accurate information, the doctor or caregiver will be able to provide premium medical care.

Less stress

When there are active medical interpreters on-site, patients and their families will be relaxed since they will have no trouble communicating with doctors, nurses and other caregivers. In the absence of a certified interpreter on-site, patients and their family members may have to recruit a multilingual speaker off-site who may not be a trained personnel. Due to their lack of understanding of specific medical terminologies, errors and complications may occur.

Let us also add that this will cost more money to hire an outsider. Furthermore, divulging sensitive information about one’s health to a stranger who is not a doctor can be quite distressing. But with an in-house interpreter, these fears are allayed.

Improved efficiency

Medical interpreting and translation also aid efficiency in clinics and hospitals. They ensure that communication runs smoothly; also, patients will know the date and time for their next appointment. Besides, if healthcare providers know that they have interpreters onsite to assist them they will be less stressed so working to the best of their ability will not be a problem.

TAGGED:healthcare careersmedical interpreters
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

eHealthMedical InnovationsTechnology

Application and Challenges of IoT in Healthcare

May 9, 2018

Technological Breakthrough in Treatment of Sleep Apnea Offered at Leading Hospitals

February 26, 2016

How Big Data Hadoop Can Save Patients from a Crippling Healthcare System

July 28, 2014
prosthetics designer
Medical DevicesMedical InnovationsTechnology

The Amazing Saga of Mike Schultz, Citizen Scientist

October 1, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?