Giving Voice to the Voiceless—Stories of Medical Interpreters.

Gumer, Jennifer Mara

Medical interpreters are indispensable in healthcare, breaking down language barriers to restore autonomy to patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). By facilitating clear communication, they enable these patients to understand and make informed choices about their treatment options. However, their role extends beyond translation; medical interpreters also advocate for LEP patients within a healthcare system that can often be unjust. This advocacy can expose interpreters to the very inequities and challenges they strive to overcome on behalf of LEP patients, adversely affecting their own health and well-being. The narratives explored here shed light on these experiences, highlighting the need for systemic changes. By understanding these stories, we can better advocate for reforms that support and value medical interpreters, ultimately improving the health and well-being of both interpreters and the communities they serve.

MEDICAL interpreters; MEDICAL care; COMMUNICATION ethics; PATIENT autonomy; LANGUAGE ability

Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics, 2024, Vol 14, Issue 3, p183

2157-1732

Academic Journal

10.1353/nib.2024.a947859