Code of ethics for Interpreters What is Impartiality? Medical Interpreter 3 #11

Summary

In this video, Joanna shares 11 essential rules for maintaining impartiality as a medical interpreter. She emphasizes the importance of not taking sides, allowing each party to express themselves, and refraining from personal opinions or emotional involvement. Interpreters should avoid nonverbal communication, steer clear of conflicts of interest, and maintain professionalism at all times. Joanna highlights that it's crucial to communicate openly about any personal limitations that may affect performance. The core message is to remember that 'nothing is personal' while fostering a caring and respectful environment in medical encounters.

Takeaways

• 😀 Stay neutral and do not take sides in interpreting encounters.
• 😀 Allow each party to express themselves; your role is to interpret their words.
• 😀 Avoid giving personal advice or opinions; simply interpret questions back to the provider.
• 😀 Respect the right of parties to disagree; your job is not to mediate disputes.
• 😀 Maintain emotional detachment to ensure professional objectivity during encounters.
• 😀 Being impartial does not mean being rude; always be polite and caring.
• 😀 Do not use nonverbal communication to express opinions; stick to verbal interpretation.
• 😀 Avoid interpreting for friends or acquaintances to prevent conflicts of interest.
• 😀 Limit personal interactions with clients to preserve confidentiality and trust.
• 😀 If you're emotionally affected, it’s acceptable to request a moment to regroup.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video?

The video focuses on how to remain impartial while interpreting in medical settings, emphasizing professionalism and emotional detachment.

Why is it important for interpreters to not take sides?

Interpreters must remain neutral to ensure that they accurately convey the messages of both parties without bias, facilitating effective communication.

What should an interpreter do if a patient asks for personal advice?

The interpreter should refrain from giving advice and instead interpret the question back to the provider for them to respond.

How should interpreters handle disagreements between parties?

Interpreters should respect the rights of both parties to disagree and allow them to express their viewpoints without interference.

What is meant by emotional detachment in interpreting?

Emotional detachment refers to the ability of the interpreter to remain unaffected by the content of the conversation, maintaining a professional demeanor.

Can interpreters express non-verbal communication during encounters?

No, interpreters should avoid using non-verbal communication as it can convey opinions or judgments, which is not their role.

What constitutes a conflict of interest for interpreters?

A conflict of interest arises if the interpreter knows the patient from outside the interpreting context, which could affect their impartiality.

Why should interpreters avoid socializing with clients?

Socializing with clients can lead to confidentiality issues and may make the client uncomfortable during interpreting encounters.

What should an interpreter do if they feel emotionally overwhelmed during a session?

It is acceptable for the interpreter to acknowledge their feelings and take a moment if needed, as professional integrity is important.

What is the overarching principle emphasized throughout the video?

The overarching principle is that 'nothing is personal'; interpreters should remain focused on their role without taking emotional offense to the content discussed.