Interpreters

Introduction

Primary care agencies may require the use of interpreters in a number of situations:

  • In communicating with individual clients and/or their family members

  • In undertaking health promotion activities

  • In consulting with communities about health service needs and expectations to inform service development or quality improvement


In each of these settings the obligation is on the health care worker to:
  • Determine the client’s need for an interpreter

  • Do everything possible to provide an interpreter if the need for an interpreter has been established

  • Ensure that the interpreter is appropriately qualified


The following sections describe principles and procedures for:
  • Definitions and quality standards

  • Policy considerations

  • Establishing the need for an interpreter

  • Best practice example

  • How to book an interpreter

  • How to work with an interpreter

Definitions and Quality Standards

What is an Interpreter?

An interpreter renders (interprets) speech orally from one language (the source language) into another language (the target language) in an accurate and objective manner.

Who can be an Interpreter?

Professional interpreters operating within the health care industry must:

  • Be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. (NAATI)

  • Be familiar with medical terminology in various health related areas.

  • Be familiar with cultural attitudes and requirements.

  • Abide by a Code of Ethics.

NAATI has responsibility for setting and monitoring standards for translating and interpreting in Australia. There are four levels of accreditation for interpreters:

    1. Paraprofessional Interpreter
    This level represents a level of competence in interpreting for the purpose of general conversation.

    2. Interpreter
    This is the first professional level and represents the minimum level of competence for interpreting across a wide range of subjects involving dialogues at specialist consultations.

    3. Conference Interpreter
    These are advanced professional levels and represent the competence to handle complex/technical/sophisticated interpreting.

    4. Conference Interpreter (Senior)
    Professionals at this level are conference interpreters with a level of excellence in their field.

All professionally accredited interpreters practice in accordance with the professional Code of Ethics of the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators Inc. (AUSIT) – see Appendix B.

Interpreters require high-level language skills and an ability to facilitate communication between parties for whom a language barrier obstructs effective and efficient communication. Their role is to accurately render speech from one language to another.

In performing this task, the interpreter needs to be:

  • Impartial

  • Accurate

  • Appropriate to the culture and situational context

Policy Consideration 1: Why Agencies Should Engage Professional Interpreters

In developing policy, agencies will need to consider that people who do not speak English well, may experience problems in the health system. Bi-lingual staff or family members are sometimes called upon to assist in the communication process between client and the health professional. However, the use of family members or bi-lingual staff (nonprofessional interpreters) can cause problems for clients, staff and the person used in this capacity.

The potential problems and risks that may be encountered by not using the services of a professional interpreter can best be described as follows:

  • Unqualified or non-accredited interpreters may be poor communicators in critical situations.

  • The language skills of non-professional interpreters are untested and therefore may be unreliable in English and the target language.

  • The client may not reveal all relevant information if a family member or friend is being used to do the interpreting.

  • If the interpreter is a family member or friend, he/she may modify the information provided by the agency.

  • Communication problems involving clients with limited English can have legal risk for the health agency, and its staff.

By using the services of professional interpreters, health care agencies can expect that:

  • Best practice standards are met.

  • All information the interpreter is privy to remains confidential.

  • Statements are interpreted accurately and impartially, which may not be the case when using a friend or family member.

  • Duty of Care obligations are met. Health service agencies are at legal risk if they do not engage professional interpreters for patients who do not speak sufficient English to understand information concerning their treatment.

By engaging accredited interpreters, the health care agency limits legal risk in case of a liability suit where a client challenges the care provided or the information given.
Professional interpreters reduce the risk of adverse outcomes for clients as a result of communication failure or misunderstanding of health advice.

Professional interpreters can help ensure that clients understand what has been communicated between parties.

Working with professional interpreters also can significantly reduce the time involved in completing accurate assessments and care planning.

Further references: (Health Dept of WA 1994): Language Services in Health Care – Policy Guidelines, Perth, updated June 2001