The interpreter's voice: Carrying the bilingual conversation in interpreter-mediated consultations in pediatric oncology care. Issue 4 (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Granhagen Jungner, Johanna; Tiselius, Elisabet; Blomgren, Klas; Lützén, Kim; Pergert, Pernilla
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 102:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 656
• Page End: 662
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Healthcare interpreters -- Interpreter-mediated consultation -- Pediatric oncology care -- Interpreters' perceived strategies -- Carrying the bilingual conversation; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2018.10.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Interpreters stretch discretionary power to carry the bilingual conversation. Interpreters feel compelled to alleviate and adapt the information. Interpreters want to be part of the team to improve the communication. Experienced interpreters are advising the users. Abstract: Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore interpreters' perceived strategies in the interaction in interpreter-mediated consultations between healthcare personnel and patients/families with limited Swedish proficiency in pediatric oncology care. Methods: This study had an inductive approach using an exploratory qualitative design. A total of eleven semi-structured interviews were performed with interpreters who had experience interpreting in pediatric oncology care. Results: The interpreters' perceived strategies were divided into four generic categories; strategies for maintaining a professional role, strategies for facilitating communication, strategies for promoting collaboration, and strategies for improving the framework of interpreting provision. These four generic categories were then merged into the single main category of carrying the bilingual conversation. Conclusions: The interpreters stretch their discretionary power in order to carry the bilingual conversation by using strategies clearly outside of their assignment. Practical implications: The study contributes to the understanding of the interpreter-mediated consultation in pediatric oncology care, and this can be used to improve the care of patients and families in pediatric oncology care with limited knowledge of a country's majority language.