In today’s swiftly changing and globalising world, people accessing public services are more diverse than ever. Hospitals and healthcare providers meet people from all walks of life—each with their own language, culture, and story. Cultural and linguistic differences are developing into compelling issues within organisations, especially in both public and private hospitals. The need for interpreters to facilitate communication among clinicians, healthcare staff, and patients is a necessity. Interpreters are fundamental to facilitate interaction by deeply comprehending the viewpoints of all parties involved and maintaining faithfulness to the message.

A healthcare interpreter’s role includes multiple sets of abilities and expectations that go far beyond simply translating words. Medical interpreting typically happens between two people communicating and collaborating in order to reach a shared goal: the well-being of the patient. In a hospital room or clinic, where emotions run high and decisions can be life-changing, interpreters create the crucial link between patients and clinicians. However, if the message conveyed between all the parties involved is not clear, this will not only impede a successful outcome but may also have a detrimental impact on the institution. All of which reinforces the vital role the interpreter plays in order to guarantee that communication and mutual understanding is achieved at all times. One of the interpreter’s main duties is to adequately and thoroughly transfer the message from one language to another, thus enabling the patient and the clinician to communicate as closely as possible.

The role of the interpreter must ensure that the flow of communication between the clinician and the patient is as accurate and transparent as possible. It is essential that the interpreter intervenes, where possible, to signal cultural obstacles to communication and aid in explaining the message, thus minimising cultural and linguistic misunderstandings when and wherever they appear.

At Translationz, we are committed to ensuring that every interpreter meets the highest linguistic and professional standards in healthcare settings. That’s why we offer professional development sessions and mentorship programs, providing interpreters with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver accurate, compassionate, and professional service to our clients.

Before every assignment, we carefully vet interpreters to ensure the best possible match for the specific needs of patients and healthcare professionals. Medical interpreting is more than just knowing a language—it requires deep understanding of medical terminology, healthcare procedures, and ethical responsibilities. Without this, interpreters cannot truly serve as the bridge between clinicians and patients in such critical moments.

Through our training and mentorship, we reinforce not only the technical skills required for the role but also the human element—the ability to navigate sensitive situations with empathy and precision. We emphasise the importance of adhering to the AUSIT Code of Ethics, ensuring that interpreters uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, impartiality, and professionalism in every interaction.

By investing in our interpreters, we invest in better healthcare outcomes, stronger connections, and a more inclusive future for all.

References

• Ausit (2025). AUSIT Code of Ethics. Available at: https://ausit.org/code-of-ethics/ (Accessed on: 20/01/2025).
• Avery, M.P.B. (2001). ‘The Role of the Healthcare Interpreter: An Evolving Dialogue’. The National Council on Interpreters in Healthcare Working Paper Series NCIHC, pp. (2-15).
• Crezee, I. (2013). Introduction to healthcare for interpreters and translators. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
• Mahdavi, M. (2020). The Role of Interpreters in Healthcare in Australia. PhD Thesis, pp. (1-330).

Written by Elise Di Mario
Client Services Representative – Brisbane Office

Hi! My name is Elisa Di Mario. I may have been born in Italy, but I have always found myself looking out at the rest of the world and wanting to be part of it. So, that is just a small factor in how I ended up here in Australia where I now live. Where it concerns translation, it may as well have been as soon as I learned to speak that I nurtured a powerful curiosity in language; be it spoken or written. In service of this passion, I spent long, happy years studying in the United Kingdom where I would also claim my Master’s Degree in Translation Studies. I enjoy translating as a subtitler for various Ted Talks in my own time and I have found a home away from home at Translationz where I work in their Client Services department.