Are machine translations safe to use for patient discharge instructions?
As tools like Google Translate and other AI-driven language models become increasingly popular in healthcare settings, it is important to approach them with caution. Dr. Jue conducted a literature review examining the accuracy of machine-generated translations.
February 26, 2026 · Video
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Professional Medical Interpreters, Not Family Members
Medical interpreters play an essential role for patients to receive quality care and reduce communication barriers between practitioner and patient. There are also legal and regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities to provide language access.
January 23, 2023 · PDF
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Navigating Telehealth in Limited English Proficiency Populations
The goal of this article is to highlight best practices in Telemedicine as they are emerging during the Covid-19 pandemic and the barriers and facilitators to a successful Telehealth visit with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients.
August 3, 2020 · Article, PDF
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Cultural Brokering & Advocacy – Interpreting for Patients with Emotional Trauma
These three video vignettes focus on medical care and interpreting that communicates compassion for a patient's trauma while focusing on the present complaint.
December 17, 2016 · Article, Video
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Sight Translation
These video vignettes role-play scenarios and their subsequent discussion videos focus on sight translation.
October 12, 2016 · Article, Video
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Translated Nurse-to-Patient Communication Pages – Harborview
Pages developed with nurses and interpreters to aid caregivers in communicating basic information to their patients.
October 5, 2016
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Medical Interpreting Pre-Session
These two video vignettes role-play medical interpreting scenarios and their subsequent discussion videos focus on the importance of providing contextual information to the interpreter.
June 24, 2016 · Article, Video
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Cambodian Terms for Hypertension May Cause Misunderstandings about the Disease
This article discusses the lay and medical terms used for hypertension in Khmer language and their influence on patients’ understanding of the disease.
February 26, 2013 · Article
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Hints and Tips for Working with Interpreters
This video provides effective ways to bridge the communication gap between English speakers and non-English speakers through the use of interpreters.
September 28, 2011 · Video
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Collaborative Strategies For Language Access In Health Care in Seattle & King County
Proceedings from a 2003 meeting of key stakeholders involved in providing language access services in health care in the City of Seattle and in King County, Washington.
August 13, 2009 · PDF
1250121600
Guidelines for Interpreted Visits
Some guidelines to consider when using interpreters.
August 11, 2009 · Article
1249948800
Chinese Language
Overview of the Chinese language, including scripts, dialects and applications for interpreters.
August 6, 2009 · Article
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External Resources
Please also see our Related Websites page for a selected list of websites related to the populations or topics covered on EthnoMed.
A resource from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resource designed as a dyadic training to increase the capacity and partnership of professional interpreters and qualified mental health clinicians working together in order to improve quality and access of services for children, adolescents and families with no or limited English proficiency (LEP) and who have experienced trauma and are seeking mental health
services.
NRC-RIM Webinar- An Introduction for Direct Service Providers who support those who facing barriers in navigating the complex U.S. health care system.
A teaching module by Dr. Margaret Isaac, Foundations of Clinical Medicine at the University of Washington geared to health care clinicians about elements of cross cultural-medicine and how to work effectively with an interpreter. Specific topics include: cultural competence, cultural humility, patient-centeredness and modes of interpreting. Module length to complete would be approximately 30-45 minutes.
The Health Care Interpreter Network (HCIN) offers an online continuing education platform for professional interpreters. Includes some palliative and end of life related courses.
Dr. Raj Sundar explores the history and culture of Washington's diverse communities so clinicians can be better equipped with the right knowledge to care for all patients. By better understanding their worldview, providers can become better at taking care of their patients.
YouTube video by Australian Department of Home Affairs provides information on effective ways to bridge the communication gap between English speakers and non-English speakers through the use of interpreters.
As the use of palliative care grows, so does the diversity of patients who opt for it. The California Health Care Foundation has a free curriculum for trainers of medical interpreters that covers the topic with sensitivity.
This 2003 publication from the California Endowment was designed to provide an overview of the research on the prevalence, role and effects of language barriers in health care.
Washington Health Benefits Exchange as provided translated materials about Health and Immigration Eligibility in Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services offers certification testing for translators and medical and social services interpreters in Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese, and authorization testing for medical and social services interpreters in all other languages.
This 2003 article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine describes a qualitative study that used focus groups and content analysis to examine factors contributing to quality of care from the perspective of Chinese- and Vietnamese-American patients with limited English language skills.
Resources and Information for Healthcare Interpreters including certificates and training.
The NCIHC is a multidisciplinary organization whose mission is to promote and enhance language access in health care in the United States.
This 2006 article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine outlines the findings of an in-office linguistic study in which transcripts of physician-patient-interpreter interactions were analyzed for content, form, and influence of the interpreter on the interaction as a whole.
A series of 30-minute podcasts are intended for healthcare interpreters, and anyone interested in improving linguistic access to healthcare. Some of the brightest, most creative minds in the field keep you abreast of emerging trends and best practices in our profession.
Conversation with medical interpreter, Jennifer Huong discussing how unprocessed trauma manifests and how the lack of community spaces can lead to further isolation.
Podcast conversation about the Cambodian community with James Heng, a DSHS-certified Khmer interpreter and Khmer Health Board Member- trauma, mental health, interpreter services, & traditional practices.
This 2007 article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine about a study that examined the effects of language discordance on the degree of health education and the quality of interpersonal care that patients received, and examined its effect on patient satisfaction; as well as evaluated how the presence/absence of a clinic interpreter affected these outcomes.
Information guides from the American Translators Association about purchasing translation or interpreting services.