Errors Medical Interpreter

Abstract

This paper presents an overall idea about the main errors committed by medical interpreters. According to Abrue et al (2010), five main errors were noticed to be mostly committed by medial interpreters: omission, addition, substitution, editorialization and false fluency. Moreover, according to Flores (2005), these errors affect the quality of health care, which is categorized into three main sections discussed in details. Additionally, the paper shows the three types of medical interpreter, and how they are related to the proportion of errors committed. It also discusses the importance of the training programs that a medical interpreter receives, and how is that related to decreasing the proportions of errors as declared by Abrue

The first one illustrated that an ad hoc interpreter told the patient's parents that they have to give their child 2 tablespoon instead of 2 teaspoon of a medicine prescribed for 10 days. Furthermore, there was a second prescribed medicine which the interpreter did not mention. In the other example, where the ad hoc interpreter was a friend, the interpreter said that the patient did not get any medications, and does not have allergic reaction to medicines , without prior knowledge of these information, or even asking the patient or any one of his/her family members about it (Abrue et al,

Both doctors and patients need to understand each other in order to find a solution for the patient, otherwise, their communication will come to nothing. Thus, the interpreter's job is not only to put that communication at ease, but also to help save the lives of many who might be severely injured as a result of misunderstanding. However, not any family member, a nurse or a stranger can be used as medical interpreters. There should be skills and requirements that a medical interpreter is expected to meet. In the studies mentioned above, it was revealed that professionalism of the medical interpreter is greatly associated with the extensive hours of training, rather the years of experience. This shed light on the importance of having more effective training programs around the world, under the supervision of professional interpreters. By doing so, people can expect having professional interpreters in the hospitals, providing patients with fast and accurate interpretation. This also forces hospitals to give greater attention to who they are hiring as a medical interpreter (Abrue et al,