Interpreting in Healthcare Settings

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I think every interpreter has to use their discretion and experience in these situations. I base my own on several things. Is the consumer DeafBlind? If yes, then I am more apt to stay in the room because the consumer can more easily get my attention. If she/he wants to call for the nurse it is much easier if I am in the room, "on hold" then to try and get my attention if I am out of the room. Also if the patient is elderly or in much pain then I will tend to stay in the room to add to the "c... View Video and Read More...

English SummaryWe received a question from an interpreter who works often in a hospital setting wondering how to manage the waiting time if a Deaf patient is in a hospital room?  If there is no preference expressed by the patient or hospital staff, should you sit in the room w... View Video and Read More...

English Summary:Translation by Jenna Coulliard and Doug Bowen-BaileyOn another visit to the eye doctor, the doctor wanted to get a good look inside my eyes. To do this, he had to shine a bright light into my eyes. He wanted me to move my eyes up, down, ... View Video and Read More...

by Doug Bowen-Bailey English Summary of Video Healthcareinterpreting.org has a new look.  While the old we... View Video and Read More...

The following two videos have two distinct perspectives on having a family member as an interpreter during a medical situation. Communication after a Car Accidentby Gerald Olson ... View Video and Read More...

by Sharon ClarkTranslation by Jeanna Coulliard About 2 years ago, my aunt Norma came to live with me because she had a lot of health problems, including Alzheimer's disease wh... View Video and Read More...

by Lee Clark Translation by Jeanna Couillard and Doug Bowen-BaileyI have gone to many eye doctor appointments and medical doctor appointments where I have had an interpreter present. At one appointment, the interpreter sho... View Video and Read More...

by Persis Bristol-DodsonIn this post, Persis shares an experience where she was working as a Doula during labor and delivery and the confusion that occurred when the interpreter there realized that Persis was a certified interpreter. To learn more about doulas, see the Birth Companions CD-ROM (which is now online.)... View Video and Read More...

by Mel Deleon-Benham Translation by Doug Bowen-BaileyI was asked to share a few encouraging words for new interpreters entering the field. I've been interpreting for 15 years now and have don... View Video and Read More...

by Brenda Nicodemus Translation by Brenda NicodemusI can remember one particular incident where I realized the importance of having the support of an interpreting agency. I went to an assignment between a Deaf person and an opthamologist, ... View Video and Read More...

by Jimmy Beldon Translation by Doug Bowen-BaileyI have a story to share with you that is so typical of doctor's offices who claim to have an interpreter working for them when the person isn't actually qualified and doesn't hold any certificat... View Video and Read More...

by Amy Williamson-Loga Translation by Doug Bowen-BaileyI recently interpreted a medical situation where the patient was a Deaf boy who was of middle-school age. His parents were also Deaf. Now, before I go into any situation, I spend some ti... View Video and Read More...

by Jimmy BeldonTranslation by Doug Bowen-BaileyI want a share a story of an experience with an interpreter who forgot the human factor. I realize it is important for interpreters to maintain boundaries, but sometimes, it can go too far.... View Video and Read More...

by Trudy Suggs As a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI), one of the most common questions I am asked, by both deaf and hearing people, is if being a CDI means I am skilled with gestural communication, or work with DeafBlind people. I always clarify that I don't necessarily specialize in gestural communica... View Video and Read More...

Editor's Note: In the comments to Jimmy Beldon's previous post, someone raised the possibility of stepping out of the exam room to wait for the doctor or nurse in the hall to be sure they were familiar with how to work with an interpreter. Here is a follow-up commentary by Amy Williamson-Loga posing some questions about that very issue.by Amy Williamson-Loga... View Video and Read More...

by Jimmy Beldon I want to share a story with you that illustrates the importance of having a pre-appointment discussion with health care providers to make sure they know how to work with interpreters. In many doctors' offices, a variety of people come in and out of rooms to interact with... View Video and Read More...

by Trudy Suggs ... View Video and Read More...