Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Date of Graduation

5-12-2023

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3043-8236

Publish

yes

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Advisor(s)

Diana Galarreta-Aima

Andrea Martinez Gonzalez

Marianne Mason

Abstract

Medical interpreters in the US are crucial health workers that specialize in facilitating communication between non-English-speaking patients and English medical professionals. Although much research has been done regarding the positive impact of professional medical interpreters on LEP (limited English proficient) patients' health, it is less known how medical interpreters’ lives are impacted in this line of work. Thus, this study was aimed at gaining a better understanding on the impact that this line of work has on the lives of medical interpreters. For this study, a survey was created with questions regarding demographics, interpretation’s certification process, interpreter’s satisfaction/experience, and mental stressors experienced in medical interpretation. The individuals who anonymously responded to this survey (n =48) were affiliated with the organization Remote Area Medical (RAM). RAM is a mobile clinic that provides free services to patients across the country. This organization contains various personnel, including medical interpreters. The survey results suggest that a small number of stress/negative attributes were experienced in this line of work (24%), the majority of participants reported no stress or negative life impacts (68%), and a smaller percentage preferred not to answer (8%). Additionally, another notable result from this study was that the majority of participants were not certified. Understanding the implications of working as a medical interpreter can help gain a better perspective on how to support these professionals who provide vital communication between non-English speaking patients and English medical professionals.

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