Getting through a doctor’s appointment in another language (Part 2)

Last week, I made some suggestions for preparing for a doctor’s appointment if you aren’t 100% proficient in the local language.

This time, let’s discuss what you can do at the appointment itself.

Maybe you know at least a little bit of the local language, but maybe you lack confidence. You might find these tips particularly useful.

Maybe you are a true novice in the language. If so, you especially should make sure a professional medical interpreter will participate in the appointment. Some places will provide one, but in some places, patients have to make their own arrangements.

What will the doctor provide, and what’s my responsibility?

In many places, the medical practice is supposed to provide language services—but that's not the law everywhere. For example:

• In the United States, federal law says many medical practices must make language services available in the area’s most common foreign languages.
• The UK government says a professional should always be supplied, rather than relying on a relative. But this is a complicated matter (see Part 1 of this post, from last week).
• In Germany, doctor’s offices are not required by law to provide interpreters. The patient may be asked to hire a certified interpreter themselves.

Ask the office in advance. You don’t want a stressful surprise.

Multilingual staff at the practice can be a great help—but they’re not necessarily trained in medical interpreting. I’ve met a dental hygienist who I think could walk into a German-English medical interpreting job. I’ve met several staffers who I think could use more training. It’s hit-or-miss.

If you need to bring your own linguist, you can find many at the American Translators Association, Institute for Translation and Interpreting, and LinkedIn. Some can also help remotely.

(For your appointment itself, you’re looking for an interpreter, rather than a translator. Specifically, one who does medical interpreting. That might be a different person than the one who translated your list from Part One, Step Three.)

Steps to a successful doctor’s visit: On the day

And now, my fifth through seventh suggestions for how to deal.

5: Make sure a linguist is there.

Bilingual friends and family might not be experienced with medical issues. Some words or explanations could easily get lost or changed in interpretation.

That’s not the fault of the person trying to help! It’s just that this is a specialized skill, and interpreters have to keep a lot of detail organized in their head. We train for this.

Also, the doctor or nurse might ask sensitive questions. This can get embarrassing quickly. People are sometimes too nervous to say important details in front of friends or family, but the doctor needs to hear all the details to treat you correctly. Trained interpreters are prepared to deal impartially and sensitively with this situation.

For these and other reasons, it makes sense to call in a pro. I repeat: ask ahead of time if one will be provided.

6: Bring a pen and blank paper.

As a last resort, this can be quicker than passing your phone back and forth. They'll work even if your battery runs out or you have no reception. And you will have documentation that someone can help make sense of after the fact. Notes are always good to have.

7: Repeat back.

Before leaving, make sure you have understood everything: tell the doctor what you heard, and confirm any diagnosis, treatment recommendation, and next steps. Take your time. Repetition is normal, even when an interpreter is present. Try not to feel too overwhelmed or intimidated.

Under pressure: Keep cool, remember the goal

At the doctor’s, it’s entirely normal to feel stressed out or nervous.

In fact, people often have higher-than-usual blood pressure at checkups just because the environment is stressful. It’s so common that it has a name: white-coat syndrome, or white-coat hypertension. (Readers, what do they call this by you?)

Sometimes, the staff don’t make that any better.

“[In some places,] doctors use technical language [and] can be patronizing if you ask any questions or decline any course of action,” interpreter and educator Zoe Brill Diderich said. “They sometimes behave as if they and they alone should decide what is best for their patients.”

In times like those, especially, patients and helpers should do their best to stay cool and continue to cross-check what has been said.

Breathe deeply, stay relaxed

Most of the time, the horror scenarios my own imagination conjures don’t even come close to happening. Instead, almost always, I walk away with reassurance, treatment, and a plan of action.

My goal with these articles was to be helpful by sharing some strategies I have developed over time. I don't currently interpret for a living, and my training was not in the language I speak day-to-day now, so consider the source.

And I’ll end with something I am definitely qualified to give: a short pep talk.

Keep your chin up. Take deep breaths into your belly, and slowly release them. Repeat until calm(er). You’ve got this. And we professional communicators have got your back throughout the process.