Medical appointments: why use an interpreter rather than a relative

When a patient doesn't speak the doctor's language, people often turn to whoever is available: a child, a relative, a colleague. That's understandable. But in healthcare, understanding "more or less" isn't enough.

Errors are more frequent

Hospital studies show it: ad hoc interpreters make significantly more errors with potential clinical consequences than professional interpreters (see Flores et al., Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2012). A misunderstood dosage, a forgotten medical history, a rephrased question: every gap matters.

Confidentiality and the patient's voice

In front of a relative, a patient doesn't always dare to say everything: intimate symptoms, violence, mental health, pregnancy. A professional interpreter is bound by confidentiality and stays neutral. The patient can speak freely.

Children shouldn't interpret

Asking a child to translate a difficult diagnosis for their parents places a responsibility and an emotional burden on them that isn't theirs to carry. It also risks the child softening the message or not understanding the medical terms.

The interpreter's role: making sure doctor and patient understand each other, adding nothing and leaving nothing out.

On site or remote

At Traduka, our interpreters support consultations in Haitian Creole, French, English and Spanish, in person, by phone or by video call. To book, tell us the date, the duration and the medical specialty.