1 TrIn 3102: Consecutive Interpreting Week 9 3/22/06

2 Lecture Goals-Week 9 Error analysis and transcript are due! Theme: Medical Interpreting Introduction and Review of the Standards of Practice for Medical Interpreting Discuss medical interpreting situations Discussion of student-generated questions

3 Standards of Practice for Medical Interpreting The skills of a medical interpreter/ translator include cultural sensitivity and awareness and respect to all parties involved, as well as mastery of medical and colloquial terminology, which make possible conditions of mutual trust and accurate communication leading to effective provision of medical/health services.

4 I. The Interpreter/Translator when interpreting/translating: 1. Shall perform his/her work accurately, completely, and clearly with the greatest possible fidelity to the spirit and letter of the original communication. 2. Shall consider all information learned and/or transmitted during the performance of interpretation/translation as strictly confidential divulging no part of it unless with the full approval of the patient and his/her physician.

5 I. The Interpreter/Translator when interpreting/translating: 3. Shall strive to enhance the communication process among all parties by providing information and guidance regarding the communication needs involved in the interaction. 4. Shall interpret/translate everything, but shall inform the health professional if the content to be translated might be perceived as offensive, insensitive, or otherwise harmful to the dignity and well-being of the patient.

6 I. The Interpreter/Translator when interpreting/translating: 5. Shall not accept any assignment for which he/she is not adequately qualified, either in language skill or understanding of the subject matter, unless limitations are understood by the patient and health provider and no other more appropriate source of interpretation is available. 6. Shall not accept any assignment in situations where close personal or professional ties may affect impartiality, unless an emergency renders the service necessary.

7 II. The Interpreter/Translator when working with the patient 1. Shall strive to develop a relationship of trust and respect at all times with the patient by adhering to the points delineated in Section I and by practicing the following: –a. adopts a caring, attentive, yet discreet and impartial attitude toward the patient, toward his/her questions, concerns, and needs –b. makes every effort to understand and communicate to others the context (social, cultural) in which the patient is operating, particularly as it may affect the patient's medical needs and status

8 II. The Interpreter/Translator when working with the patient –c. understands and assures that the principle of informed consent is implemented through complete translation of all necessary written and/or verbal information in order that the patient be able to assert the right of free choice to the greatest extent possible. –d. makes every effort to assure that the patient has understood questions, instructions, and other information transmitted by the health provider.

9 II. The Interpreter/Translator when working with the patient 2. Shall refrain from fulfilling roles and functions that exceed those of an interpreter/translator, so as to give the patient a reliable and clear understanding of what service the interpreter/translator is providing.

10 Ill. The Interpreter/Translator when interacting with the Health Provider 1. Shall develop a relationship of trust and respect at all times with the health provider by adhering to the points delineated in Section I and practicing the following: - demonstrates empathy and a spirit of cooperation toward the provider's role -possesses an impartial attitude toward the health provider - makes every effort to assure the clear communication of the health provider's information needs.

11 Ill. The Interpreter/Translator when interacting with the Health Provider 2. Shall consider it a responsibility to be well informed with respect to the cultural/social realities of the patient and educate those who, due to lack of cultural awareness, may be led to misunderstand or enter into conflict with those realities.

12 Ill. The Interpreter/Translator when interacting with the Health Provider 3. Shall know competency limitations, therefore, refrain from fulfilling any role, function, or service that does not pertain to the position of medical interpreter/ translator as defined above.

13 IV. The Interpreter/Translator shall also: 1. be punctual, patient, and possess evenness of temper 2. have unquestionable integrity 3. pursue continuous education 4. maintain contacts with other interpreters/ translators participating in meetings, forums, and facilitating the reciprocal flow of professional information and support 5. not permit others to perform professional services or to hold themselves as competent beyond their training, level of experience, and competence

14 IV. The Interpreter/Translator shall also: 6. assign publication credit to those who have contributed to a publication in proportion to their contributions 7. store and dispose confidential records in ways that keep the information confidential 8. promote conditions that encourage respect for the diversify of cultures which constitute our society 9. strive to ensure that all persons have access to the resources, services, and opportunities required for health care 10. support the formulation, development, enactment, and implementation of policies of concern to the profession.

15 Mayo Clinic Language Department Medical Interpreter Code of Ethics Introduction A medical interpreter is a specially trained professional who has proficient knowledge and skills in two or more languages and uses that training in a health-related setting in order to facilitate communication between the health care provider and patient who do not speak the same language. The following standards for ethical behavior exemplify the duties and responsibilities of the Mayo Medical Interpreter.

16 Standards 1. Maintains confidentiality. Information divulged in any interpreted exchange, for example, between a patient and a health care provider, is private. The interpreter does not intentionally reveal confidential information. 2. Interprets accurately and completely. The interpreter is committed to transmitting the content and spirit of the original message into the other language without omitting, modifying, condensing or adding. 3. Maintains impartiality. The interpreter withdraws from assignments where personal ties or beliefs may affect impartiality, and refrains from interjecting personal opinions or biases into the exchange. 4. Demonstrates professionalism. The interpreter clearly understands his/her role and refrains from delivering services that are not part of that role. The interpreter conducts his/herself in dress, posture and speech in a manner appropriate to the situation, and is respectful, courteous and honest.

17 Standards 5. Conveys cultural practices. The interpreter explains cultural differences or practices to health care providers and patients when appropriate. 6. Knows own limits. The interpreter declines to interpret beyond his/her training, level of experience and skills. In addition, he/she avoids situations that may represent a conflict of interest or may lead to personal or professional gain. 7. Maintains professional distance. The interpreter understands the boundaries of the professional role and monitors his/her own personal agenda, refraining from becoming personally involved in a patient’s life. 8. Pursues professional development. The interpreter continually endeavors to improve his/her interpreting skills by pursuing further relevant study and experience.

18 Discussion questions Group Student AStudent B 1GloriaAnna 2Nancy Gilce

19 Lab Goals-Week 9 1.List your idiomatic expressions from last week on the board for general discussion. Turn in the lab exercise #3 (idiomatic phrases) to your lab instructor (20 points). 2.Group of 3: English dialogue practice (client must sight translate to Spanish). (pp , 56-59, 60-61, 62-63) 3.Group of 3: Controlled bilingual dialogue practice Consecutive Lessons 1, 3, 5, 13, 14, 16. (pp , 71-72, 73-75, 64, 65, ) 4.Group of 3: Open dialogue practice Medical Dialogue 1: Medical History and Medical Dialogue 2: Admissions. (pp , 78) 5.Sight translation practice (from pp ): Each student will be assigned a page to practice sight translation alone. Then each student will meet with any classmate(s) to compare each other’s work.

20 Lecture/Lab assignment for Week 10 Reading text (write one thought question per article):  Interpreting in Mental Health Settings  Basic Competencies for Mental Health Interpreters Lab exercise #4 (due March pts.): –Practice the sight translation document to be presented to your lab instructor next week. Spanish to English: lab pp or pp –Develop a vocabulary list of 10 words that are either in the sight translation text or that might be related vocabulary. Write down an equivalent word or phrase in your other working language. You will give the list to your instructor when presenting the sight translation. PLEASE BRING YOUR AUDIO AND VIDEOTAPES! Most important assignment: Have a great week!