As we have considered so far in this series of articles, a conduit of communication is simply a machine, a robot. Although I understand the purpose is to keep healthcare interpreters neutral and unbiased, people are not machines. People are complicated, and so are the roles of the professional interpreter. In addition to being professional and unbiased interpreters must also be advocates and Facilitators of cultural understanding.

Health care interpreter should be considered a vital part of the health care team and not just simply a communication instrument. Previous blogs have demonstrated that many interpreters are expected to maintain a distance from the patient in order to avoid being compromised emotionally. In many hospitals, the interpreter enters the room when the health care professional professionals enter the room and they leave when the health care professional leaves. This is done in order to limit the amount of time they spend with a patient. They try to stay as impersonal as possible.

Doctors make a concerted effort to build a bond of trust with their patients. Nurses a physical therapist likewise do the same thing. there are advantages to building a bond of trust with a patient the patient is more likely to confide in the medical professional and reveal important information. When a bond of trust is developed, the patient is more likely to cooperate and follow up on treatment.

The only member of the health care team who is typically expected to maintain a distance and discouraged from having any relationship with the patient is the health care interpreter. Just like any machine, an information conduit is to be turned on and off as needed and stay off until its services are requested.

If the healthcare professional wishes to earn the trust of the patient, wouldn’t trust be complicated if the one member of the team who can speak directly with the patient in maintaining a non-emotional invisible wall and gives them the silent treatment?  Did anyone watch I-Robot? It is kind of hard to trust an android.

Just like in all things, I believe balance is called for. A core element of humanity is empathy and it OK for an interpreter to have a conversation with a patient and empathize with his anguish. If a trusting bond is developed with the interpreter, then it is likely the interpreter will serve as a bridge for the rest of the healthcare team with much better end results.

Remember balance, professional interpreters must still maintain transparency, professionalism and stay unbiased. I believe the balance comes with consistent training and ethical reminders. Professional interpreters must be aware of their emotional state and know when to step away and request a replacement.

I believe that the concept that an interpreter should only serve as a conduit of information is flawed and fails to take in the scope of responsibilities. As is the case for many things in life, there isn’t always an easy answer. We must continue to refine and improve ourselves.