Should we do small-talk with patients to set them at ease? This may be a standard expectation in some cultures. In fact, by making patients comfortable, we can expect them to engage more meaningfully and be willing to participate and take an active role in their care. That said, is small talk the best use […]
during the encounter
Microlecture 004: Talk Directly To The Patient
This micro-lecture addresses patient rights. When the patient has Limited English Proficiency, how can we ensure their right to access all the information about their healthcare? Don’t they still have the right to take advantage of the therapeutic bond that should exist between every doctor and the patient? How can we decrease the psychological distance […]
Microlecture 005: No Censoring Rule
What should the medical interpreter do during the clinical encounter? Should they pick and choose in terms of what information they translate and what they withhold? Should they omit certain aspects of what the clinician says? What should the interpreter do if one clinician disagrees with another during the clinical encounter? Should they interpret arguments […]
