Medical Interpreters
A medical interpreter is more than just someone who simply speaks two languages. There are special skills involved. Untrained interpreters create risks for adding information, omitting information, changing the message and offering opinions. Trained medical interpreters make sure both patients and medical providers parties understand each other. They are trained not to edit or alter information. Interpreters at Healdsburg District Hospital undergo comprehensive medical interpreter training.

Trained Ayudante Medical Interpreter Services at Healdsburg District Hospital
Our medical interpreters are first required to successfully pass fluency and competency exams followed by 40 hour comprehensive medical interpreter training course. Our medical interpreters receive training on the following topics:

• Roles of the Interpreter
• Barriers to Communication
• Different modes of interpreting
• Familiarity with basic parts of the Anatomy
• Ethical principles / Standards and Practices
• Protocols
• Medical terminology
• Medical cultural awareness and sensitivity training

Why Choose a Medical Interpreter, Rather Than Family Members
Family members have a vital role in providing support. However, they are usually not appropriate medical interpreters. Family members often edit the patient’s message, add their own opinions, answer for the patient, and impede the development of the patient-provider relationship. Patients may be reluctant to discuss certain problems in front of a family member, and confidentiality becomes a concern. Family members are not trained interpreters and are often unfamiliar with medical terminology. In general, a family member should only be used for interviews where confidentiality is not a concern, where nothing of a delicate nature will be discussed, and where medical terminology will not be used.

Never Use a Child as a Medical Interpreter
In addition to those concerns previously mentioned, the use of children under the age of eighteen (18) years old as interpreters creates an inversion of traditional roles in the family, where parents, not children are normally in control. Lack of adult vocabulary in both languages is a serious problem when children are acting as medical interpreters. In addition, children are often traumatized if they are required to pass on bad news or if they are held responsible for negative outcomes.

Source of Information:
The Cross Cultural Health Care Program
Bridging the Gap: Medical Interpreter Training
Connecting Worlds: Medical Interpreter Training

Mario Guzman
Phone: (707) 431-6465 or (707) 431-6464
Fax: (707) 431-6525
Email: mguzman@nschd.org