Guidelines for working with interpreters effectively

Pre-brief the interpreter: before the session

• Allocate extra time for the interpreting process.
• Provide a brief introduction of your role and service.
• Explain the objectives / purpose of the session.
• Obtain cultural background information or ensure that appropriate cultural greetings and etiquette are followed.
• Establish the mode of interpreting - consecutive or simultaneous.
• Confirm the use of the first person throughout the session.
• Clarify any specific terminology to be used and ask the interpreter if they understand it.
• Prepare the interpreter for difficult issues or tense topics.
• Inform the interpreter if you plan to talk about a sensitive or controversial issue. Advise the interpreter that you will inform the patient or family through them that what is said is not the opinion of the interpreter but your own.
• Remind the interpreter of the confidentiality protocol. 

Briefing: at the start of the session

• Greet and direct the patient or family member(s) to a pre-arranged seating arrangement.
• Introduce yourself and explain the roles of the professionals present.
• Introduce the interpreter and her/his role (ie she/he will be interpreting for both you and the patient and family members, and that the interpreter will not be expected to give her/his opinion during the session).
• Assure the patient of confidentiality. It can be helpful to the patient to know that both professionals are bound by a clause of confidentiality under a Code of Ethics. Conditions under which confidentiality cannot be maintained (for clinical safety) can also be explained at this time.
• Establish with the patient that everything said in the session by all parties will be interpreted.
• Familiarise the patient with the mode of interpreting (ie consecutive or simultaneous) to be used. Ask the patient (and family members) to pause after three short sentences for the interpreter to interpret.
• Explain that if the session involves sensitive or controversial issues, the opinion given is yours rather than that of the interpreter.

During the session

• Do not enter into direct conversation with the interpreter.
• Do not ask the interpreter for their opinion.
• Use short sentences.
• Pause at regular intervals for the interpreter to assimilate and interpret.
• Allow the interpreter to interpret after every 3-5 sentences.
• Allow enough time for the interpreter to convey information.

Debrief: after the session

• Ask for a de-briefing with the interpreter to clarify any cultural issues, interpretation of words or concepts.