Difficulties and overcoming strategies experiencedby immigrant medical interpreters
10.11197/jaih.28.305
- VernacularTitle:外国人医療通訳者の体験した困難とその対処
- Author:
Ikuko Tanaka
;
Satoko Yanagisawa
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Medical interpreter;
Immigrants;
Qualitative study;
Difficulty;
Experience
- From:Journal of International Health
2013;28(4):305-316
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Introduction
The objective of this study was to explore experiences of immigrant medical interpreters working in Japanese hospitals and their view on how to improve medical interpreting services.
Methods
We conducted semi-structured interviews to five Brazilian and Argentinean interpreters working at two hospitals in Aichi Prefecture. The interviews explore their experiences since they started working as an interpreter focusing on difficulties and strategies to overcome them. We also asked how they saw medical interpreter system in Japan and how it can be improved. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. Descriptions related to difficulties and overcoming strategies were extracted from the transcription, coded and summarized into subcategories, then, to categories.
Results
Forty subcategories were extracted concerning difficulties and strategies immigrant medical interpreters experienced. They were integrated into eight categories. Their experiences were described as follows (« »shows categories). Immigrant medical interpreters started their career with«Groping due to lack of relevant experiences and training», therefore, they experienced«Initial difficulties and hardship». They devised various«Initial strategies to overcome difficulties»and improved their skills. Then they faced«Bafflement and dilemma as experienced». They struggle to bring«Change and contrivance as experienced»to themselves and to their colleagues. As they overcame serious difficulties, they gradually equipped with«Concern and consideration as a medical interpreter». Through experiences as an interpreter, they found out«Meaning of being an interpreter», and started«Taking on a new role»beyond what were assigned to them.
Conclusion
This study portrayed immigrant medical interpreters’ experiences on difficulties they faced as well as strategies to overcome them. It is important to enhance social recognition of medical interpreters and establish medical interpreter system in order to improve access of immigrants to health care.
