28 Nov Worst illnesses for a freelance medical translator or interpreter

A freelance medical translator or a freelance medical interpreter might be in a really bad scenario in case of illness or disease. Why? A freelance normally has to work even suffering from fever or migraines. That is one of the main cons of a freelance medical translator or interpreter. Deadlines are always present and, after accepting a project, it can be difficult to put it off. So a freelance medical translator may decide to work, otherwise he/she risks losing a client.

Obviously no disease is positive at all, specially when dealing with work. And it is also clear that a headache is not a good condition for working. But there are some kinds of illnesses and diseases that might be even worst for a freelance medical translator as the job can not be carried out. Here are some examples:

Eye disease

A freelance medical translator always works with a computer, so the need to see information is mandatory. With an eye disease – as a conjunctivitis – the exposition to a screen might become a real nightmare. Not to mention cataracts or a harder eye disease.

Ear disease

A freelance medical translator may work in normal conditions with an ear disease, but not a freelance medical interpreter. The need to hear accurately can be thrown away with a mere inflammation of the ear. And the loss of hearing may result in chaos. Any misunderstanding is harmful for his/her career, as the best will not be reached.

Hand injury

A foot or a hip injury is not really aggressive for the daily life of a freelance medical translator because movement is not required. Nevertheless, a hand injury is a hard setback – either for a freelance medical translator or interpreter. The need of a translator to tip on the keyboard when translating texts, or the need of an interpreter to write down some notes will mean bad consequences. Time is money, and not writing quickly means a loss of economic assets.

It is said that a freelance medical translator never gets sick. But that is not true – as any other individual – he/she may get sick, but with the difference of having to work in bad health conditions. Nevertheless, the failure to carry out a job must be taken into account for deciding to stop – even at risk of losing clients. But when health is at stake, it arises the following question: is the cure worst than the disease?