31 Jul What is medical interpreting for spiritual care?

Medical interpreting is based on the oral transfer of information between doctor and patient from one language to another. So far so clear, right? But did you know that a third person can also come into play? This is the spiritual healthcare provider. The truth is that spiritual care is an integral part of healthcare, and many hospitals offer spiritual support to patients and their families. And here’s the question that concerns us: if languages that the healthcare provider doesn’t know come into play, medical interpreters will be called in. These professionals will play a key role in the experience of patients and their families at crucial moments in an act that is called interpreting for spiritual care.

I’m sure you have a lot of questions. So, let’s start with the first thing:

Spiritual Care. What is that?

If you provide medical interpreting services, you may panic when you hear these services mentioned if they were not on your radar before. In short, spiritual care is about meeting existential and spiritual needs in relation to illness and crisis. It plays a unique and, at the same time, essential role in the care of patients and their families, whether they practice a particular religion or simply need extra support.

Spiritual care can help in many ways. Spiritual care providers can pray with patients and their families, as well as offer sacraments or rituals or simply help them find a source of strength and support during a difficult time. They may also simply listen and talk about spirituality in general terms or just have an informal conversation.

How should an interpreter proceed when it comes to interpreting for spiritual care?

Do not worry if you have been called upon to do this type of interpretation: even the most experienced interpreters may feel insecure. In addition to interpreting complex medical terms, there is the difficulty of interpreting spiritual care, which also involves specific terminology associated with sacred texts and rites. In addition, among many other doubts that may arise, there may be concerns due to the belief that they will:

• not be able to do a good job if they do not share the patients’ beliefs,
• find it difficult to remain impartial,
• disappoint a patient,

So how should an interpreter proceed? As a certified medical interpreter will know, the most important thing is professionalism. Just as interpreters would do in any other medical procedure with which they are unfamiliar, they should consider some factors:

Health support

One of the core values of medical interpreters is their duty to support the health and well-being of patients and their families. Spiritual care is an integral part of healthcare and addresses the overall well-being of the patient. It considers their physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs. Therefore, it is the duty of interpreters to provide accurate interpretation and be a health support during spiritual care encounters.

Familiarisation and preparation

In order to interpret with high accuracy, it is necessary to learn the terminology commonly used in spiritual care, as well as the protocols and role of the chaplain through preparation and study. Medical interpreters should familiarise themselves with sacred texts and religious practices to enhance their ability to effectively interpret. In addition, a thorough pre-session can help them learn the objectives of the encounter and discuss strategies.

Objectivity and fidelity

Interpreters do not have a duty to share the patient’s beliefs to interpret in these types of encounters, but they do have a duty to interpret with great accuracy. A professional interpreter does not allow personal judgments or cultural values to influence objectivity and fidelity. Interpreting is only a conduit for communication.

Both a challenge and an achievement

An increasing number of encounters include spiritual components in which interpreters are exposed to questions, issues and terminology that are new to them.

While these encounters can be challenging for interpreters, it is their duty to strengthen themselves to improve communication between the parties during a potentially sensitive encounter. Being prepared is essential to ensure effective, respectful and culturally sensitive communication that enhances patient care and well-being.