While many do know English, communication barriers are pervasive. While LEP individuals and those whose primary language is ASL experience a variety of hurdles during daily life. One of the most notable challenges involves receiving reliable medical care, particularly during a health crisis.
Overall, an estimated 25 million people in the United States (age five and older) is considered to have limited English proficiency (LEP). That’s approximately 9 percent of the population. Additionally, about 1 million people rely on American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with others. That’s why medical interpreters are a critical part of the equation. If you’re wondering how a medical interpreter can help you during a health crisis, here’s what you need to know.
How a Medical Interpreter Can Help You During a Health Crisis
Overcome Communication Barriers
The primary role of a medical interpreter is to help patients overcome communication barriers when securing medical treatment. The interpreter functions as a conduit, listening to what each party shares, capturing the core meaning, and relaying the information to the others.
Medical interpreters don’t offer advice or interject their perspectives. Instead, they’re a neutral third party, serving solely as a resource to streamline communication. That makes information more accessible and reduces the odds of misunderstandings that can occur when the meaning of what’s shared isn’t accurately captured.
Service Provider Positioning
During a health crisis, many patients may rely on family members or friends to act as interpreters. The issue is that those closest to you are typically emotionally invested in the outcome. They may struggle to hear difficult news, let alone relay it accurately to you. Some may even soften the situation as a means of preserving your feelings or reducing fear, which is potentially harmful as it can lead to poor decisions based on inaccurate details.
An interpreter has a degree of professional distance. They’re positioned as a service provider, and they aren’t as emotionally impacted by the nature of the situation. That allows them to remain accurate with greater ease.
Plus, with a medical interpreter, family members and friends aren’t in the challenging position of having to hear difficult news while also fulfilling a communication-related duty. This allows them to focus on caring for you, which is valuable.
Unbiased Communication
Just as family members and friends are often tempted to alter the narrative, often to safeguard your feelings, bilingual hospital employees that aren’t professional interpreters may fall into similar traps. If they grow close to a patient during treatment, they may soften the news as it seems like a friendly gesture, which leads to you receiving inaccurate information.
However, bilingual employees may also try to protect the interests of their employers, adjusting what they share to achieve that goal. They might also skew the message to encourage you to take a particular path or not mention a treatment option they disagree with for a multitude of reasons.
By going with a professional medical interpreter instead, you eliminate potential bias from the equation. You’ll get accurate details every step of the way, ensuring you have enough information to make the right decisions about your care.
A More Satisfying Experience
Dealing with a health crisis without a medical interpreter is often frustrating and scary, typically because communication isn’t flowing freely. You may feel misunderstood when you try to share critical information or may worry that you aren’t entirely clear on what the recommended treatment involves or the actual state of your health, leading to a poor overall experience.
By having a medical interpreter available, the pathways for clear communication are open. It’s possible to initiate a meaningful dialog, ensuring you’re fully heard and that you completely understand what the medical professionals are sharing or recommending. As a result, the entire experience is less confusing and frustrating, making it more satisfying.
Are You Looking for a Reliable Medical Interpreter?
At Acutrans, we understand the value professional, dependable medical interpreters provide to patients and healthcare facilities alike. Our team holds itself to the highest possible standards, ensuring high-quality results and supportive experiences that facilitate better communication.
If you’re looking for a reliable medical interpreter, Acutrans is an industry-leading solution that covers over 200 languages. Our medical interpreters aren’t just adept at their languages; they’re also well-versed in medical terminology, making them more effective than general interpreters. Whether you need on-site, video remote, and over-the-phone interpretation, Acutrans has a program to meet that need quickly, ensuring you get the proper support during urgent health crises.
Additionally, Acutrans offers certified medical document translations in 24 hours or less. Whether you need discharge paperwork, aftercare instructions, diagnosis information packets, medical records, test results, or anything else translated, our team can get the job done right.
With the right medical interpreters and translators by your side, you get top-tier results. If you need skilled medical interpreters or translators to assist while you’re getting healthcare needs addressed, Acutrans can provide a reliable, professional solution. Contact us for a free quote today.