For patients with limited English proficiency, a professional medical interpreter can help bridge the language gap between the patient, family members, and healthcare providers.

What Does a Professional Medical Interpreter Do?

A professional medical interpreter facilitates communication between patients and healthcare professionals in another language. Unlike relying on a friend, family member, or an untrained individual, professional interpreters are trained to communicate information accurately while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.

They may assist during:

Why Accuracy Matters in Healthcare

Healthcare conversations can involve complex information, including symptoms, medical history, diagnoses, treatment options, medications, and follow-up instructions.

Even a small misunderstanding can make it difficult for a patient to understand what a healthcare provider is communicating.

A professional interpreter helps facilitate clear communication so that patients can better understand the information being discussed and communicate their questions and concerns.

Professional Interpretation Supports Better Communication

Professional interpretation is not simply translating individual words. Interpreters help facilitate communication between people who speak different languages while maintaining the meaning and context of the conversation.

This can be especially important when healthcare providers need to ask detailed questions or explain information to a patient.

Professional interpretation can help:

• Improve communication between patients and providers
• Help patients communicate their concerns
• Support understanding of medical information
• Reduce language-related misunderstandings
• Provide a more comfortable communication experience for patients

When Should You Request a Medical Interpreter?

Healthcare organizations may benefit from professional interpretation whenever a patient and healthcare provider need language assistance to communicate effectively.

Interpretation may be useful for routine appointments as well as more complex medical conversations.

If a patient prefers to communicate in a language other than English, arranging professional interpretation in advance can help make the appointment more organized and accessible.

In-Person and Remote Interpretation

Depending on the situation, interpretation services may be provided in person or remotely.

Remote interpretation can be useful when an interpreter needs to join a healthcare conversation without being physically present at the facility. This can provide healthcare organizations with greater flexibility when coordinating language support for patients.

Choosing a Professional Interpretation Service

When selecting an interpretation provider, consider factors such as:

Choosing an appropriate interpretation service can help healthcare organizations provide a more accessible communication experience for their patients.

Professional Medical Interpretation in Connecticut

Fortia Language Services provides interpretation services for organizations and individuals in Connecticut, including support for healthcare-related communication.

If your organization needs professional interpretation assistance, you can learn more about Fortia's Medical Interpretation Services and available interpretation options.