Interpreting for medical appointments
In a medical conversation more depends on language than understanding alone. An explanation that does not arrive is not an explanation.
Typical occasions
Consent before a procedure
Risks, alternatives and consequences must be understood before anyone signs.
Medical history and results
Background, medication, diagnosis and the next steps.
Admission and discharge
Inpatient admission, discharge conversation, medication plan and follow-up care.
Psychotherapy and psychiatry
Longer series of sessions, where having the same interpreter matters most.
Rehabilitation and aftercare
Therapy planning, instruction and conversations across several professions.
Obstetrics and paediatrics
Situations that move fast and leave little room for follow-up questions.
Confidentiality and health data
What is said in the appointment stays in the appointment. Health data belongs to the special categories of personal data under Article 9 GDPR and is treated accordingly.
We keep no record of what was discussed and pass nothing on to third parties, including relatives waiting outside.
What helps us prepare
It helps to know the occasion and the medical field so the interpreter can prepare the terminology. For hospital appointments the expected duration matters more than the exact time, because waiting shifts the schedule.
If several appointments for the same person are coming, tell us early. Continuity with the same interpreter saves noticeable time in follow-up sessions.