We know providing an interpreter for medical situations can be uncomfortable and awkward before you become used to it, however no where is it more critical to have accurate communication than in a medical office. Just as the risk of misinterpretation from foreign spoken languages to English is undeniable, English to Sign Language can be significant as well. Simple misunderstandings can be critical health risks. For example, if a physician would hand a script to a patient and hold up a "3" handshape and mime a pill being placed into the mouth, that physician would have just told the Deaf patient to take the pills 6 TIMES A DAY! That poses serious health risks. This example exemplifies the reason you need a qualified Sign Language Interpreter for all medical appointments. The simple provision of an interpreter will protect the health of the patient and greatly decrease the risk of litigation. In addition, the patient has a more positive experience during one of the most difficult experiences we endure... doctor's visits.
View a DVD prepping the medical field for the use of interpreters:
CLICK HERE
