Perspectives of professional interpreters regarding their role and attitude in the healthcare encounter

Abstract

This study aimed to explore how professional interpreters experience their role in a healthcare encounter. An explorative study with semi-structured individual interviews and written descriptions was conducted with a purposeful sample of nine professional interpreters who represented the migrant population in Sweden. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse data. The findings showed that the professional interpreters viewed their role as to transfer information accurately, to keep confidentiality, to remain impartial and to perform the duties related to their work assignments. However, the study also found a number of factors and challenges that influenced this role. These were: 1) the form of interpretation, 2) the interpretation environment, 3) the employment conditions and personal characteristics of the interpreters, and 4) the behaviour of the patient and healthcare staff during the interpretation session. The study found that professional interpreters experienced their role as aligning with the existing guidelines regarding an interpreter’s role and ethical attitude. Healthcare service providers, policymakers and interpreter agencies should focus on improving training and support and development opportunities in order to increase the impact of interpretation on equality and quality of healthcare.