Note-taking Examples | Consecutive Interpreting

Summary

In this session, Juan, an experienced English-Spanish medical video interpreter, shares highlights from his workday on April 29, 2021. He discusses handling 26 calls, including two long sessions, and introduces two medical terms he learned: 'milia' and 'reactive airway disease.' Juan demonstrates his efficient note-taking process, condensing lengthy medical utterances into concise, easy-to-remember notes while emphasizing personal style and clarity. He provides tips for staying relaxed to improve accuracy and encourages viewers to develop their own note-taking methods. The session concludes with an invitation for questions, highlighting practical strategies for aspiring medical interpreters.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is a medical video remote interpreter with over four years of experience, sharing insights from their workday.
• 😀 The speaker took 26 calls during the day, including a few longer ones, with a mix of phone and video sessions.
• 😀 The speaker learned two new medical terms during the session: *melia* (milia) and *reactive airway disease* (enfermedad reactiva de las vías respiratorias).
• 😀 *Milia* are small white bumps on the skin caused by trapped keratin, often seen in newborns, and are not dangerous.
• 😀 *Reactive airway disease* is a term used when asthma is suspected but not confirmed, often used for children with coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
• 😀 The speaker demonstrates their note-taking process, showing examples of how they reduce long sentences into concise, symbolic notes.
• 😀 In the first note-taking example, a 50-word sentence was reduced to just 13 words or symbols to convey the main points.
• 😀 In the second note-taking example, a 40-word sentence was reduced to 12 notes while retaining the essence of the message.
• 😀 The speaker discusses the challenge of note-taking under pressure and how anxiety can sometimes affect accuracy, but it’s part of the learning process.
• 😀 The speaker encourages new interpreters to develop their own note-taking style and emphasizes that notes will be different for everyone based on personal preferences.

Q & A

Who is Juan and what is his role?

Juan is an English-Spanish medical video remote interpreter with over four years of experience, responsible for interpreting medical sessions over phone and video calls.

How many calls did Juan handle on April 29, 2021, and what was notable about some of them?

Juan handled 26 calls that day. Two calls were particularly long, one lasting over an hour and another slightly over 40 minutes.

What are the two new medical terms Juan learned during his workday?

Juan learned the terms 'milia' and 'reactive airway disease.'

What is 'milia,' and how is it different from whiteheads?

Milia are small white bumps on the skin caused by keratin trapped underneath the surface. Unlike whiteheads, they do not contain pus and are not a sign of clogged pores.

What does 'reactive airway disease' mean in a medical context?

Reactive airway disease is a term used when asthma is suspected but not confirmed. It refers to a general history of coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath in children, often triggered by infections.

How does Juan reduce long utterances into concise notes?

Juan uses abbreviations, symbols, and selective keywords to condense full sentences into notes. For example, 50-word utterances can be reduced to around 13 notes, maintaining key information for recall.

What examples did Juan provide to demonstrate his note-taking method?

He provided two examples: one 50-word utterance reduced to 13 notes and another 40-word utterance reduced to 12 notes, using abbreviations like 'IV,' 'flu,' and '2L water' to simplify.

Why did Juan feel nervous while taking notes, and how did it affect his work?

Juan was slightly nervous during the first note-taking session, which led him to include unnecessary words like 'I think.' Despite this, he successfully condensed the information and maintained accuracy.

What advice does Juan give about developing a personal note-taking style?

Juan advises that note-taking styles are individual, and learners should develop their own approach based on what feels natural. Consistency and relaxation help reduce mistakes.

How does Juan suggest viewers engage with his content after the session?

Juan encourages viewers to leave questions in the comments, like and subscribe to his channel, and share the content for more educational resources on medical interpreting.

What practical benefit do Juan's notes provide for interpreting sessions?

Juan's notes allow interpreters to quickly recall key points of medical conversations without writing everything verbatim, improving efficiency and accuracy in real-time interpretation.

How do Juan's notes help in understanding medical instructions for patients?

By condensing instructions into essential keywords and symbols, Juan can capture critical details like hydration advice, medication, and procedures, ensuring accurate communication to patients.