“The best thing to do from a medical provider’s perspective to help the MI is to act as if the MI is invisible” says Maria Reira. Ms. Reira is an expert medical interpreter (MI) who interprets in Spanish, Catalan, and German. Should we behave as if the MI is an invisible presence, a ‘body-less’ voice, […]
Microlectures
Microlecture 013: Ethics Of Selective Interpreting
Medical interpretation ethics behoove the interpreter to adhere to their professional code of conduct at all times. This means that the medical interpreter (MI) is obligated to interpret everything said in the clinical encounter with the patient, including any differences of opinion, conflicts, and unpleasant interactions that may occur during the encounter. The MI is […]
Microlecture 012: How To Introduce Interpreter Services
Introducing the medical interpreter (MI) effectively is crucial to ensure clear communication and understanding between the healthcare provider, patient, and their family. Introducing the MI:a. Clinician’s Responsibility: The clinician should initiate the introduction and highlight the role of the MI as a team member. The clinician can say something like, “Hello, I’m [clinician’s name], and […]
Microlecture 011: How To Recruit Multi-Ethnic Patients Into Clinical Research
< When you look at most research studies, you will often find a common trend– most of the study participants are mainstream patients. Few patients from minority communities enroll in research studies. The reasons for this are many and complex. All stakeholders have implicit biases. The researchers may feel that patients from communities of color […]
Microlecture 010: Teams vs Teaming Instance
I believe that healthcare is a team sport. In order for patients to get the best care possible, we need a multi-disciplinary team of experts to work together to provide patient-centered, family-oriented care. We all know about teams. A team is a group of people who work together on an ongoing basis to accomplish a […]
