[Alexandra Cumplido]

Leonisa isnt it amazing something so small has so much power ? i was amazed when i first learned that such a small delicate organ can control so much from our being.

[Alexandra Cumplido]

Great job everyone I really like the way you have all managed to sum up our difference in gender roles and how they both differ from each other.

[Alexandra Cumplido]

Hi Lesly, so I want you to not confuse a pre-session with a pre-appointment prep. Providers are not required to tell us anything about what we are about to interpret. It is always helpful if they did so we can mentally prepare. In an out-pt appointment that is easier because you know what department you are going to GI, Imaging, Cardiologist etc. Within the hospital it is challenging as you can be in the ER and no one knows anything about this patient that just walked in, or in the ICU a patient is coding and you get called in STAT and have to talk to the family. Those are situations where there is no time to get a background but instead you introduce yourself (pre-session) and carry-on with your role. It is best that we don’t talk more than the necessary with pts pre-appointment in the waiting room or in the room without a provider present. Not because you are being anti-social but because pre-sessions and encounters are done in front of the provider so that everyone is aware of the rules. If you sit next to the patient in the waiting room while you wait you run the risk of the patient telling you to lie for them. Eg. I am going to go for a smoke, but when the doctor asks tell him i quit 5 months ago. Now you are stuck in the middle because you have to interpret what she says you are her voice and ethically you told that patient everything you say will be confidential but now you are lying to the provider. So its great to be prepared with your own research and department but no need to be familiarized with the patients medical history. Remember, you are not a mediator you are their voice how they want to use their appt time thats on them.

[Alexandra Cumplido]

Hi Milleny, I really like how you broke it up in 3 parts. I agree with your points and it shows me you know why this is so crucial. I will say the pre-session isn’t an evaluation of a patient’s register. Since it is supposed to be a fast yet informative introduction it will be very difficult to gauge the patients level of education. Never assume, as a trained interpreter you should always start with a high register and lower it as deemed necessary for the patient’s understanding needs. Just because they are LEP doesn’t mean they aren’t educated, always remember that. I have interpreted for patients who are Doctors in their country and are here visiting and suddenly became ill. It would have been not only embarrassing but also rude on my end if I assumed and started with a low register because during my pre-session they were in so much pain they could barely introduce themselves. Once the pain was controlled I realized he kept up with my register and also had a high register on his end to ask the provider questions.
I will disagree where in an emergency situation it is crucial to do a pre-session of some sort. Think of a trauma room, the patient is there and often times the patient isn’t alone. Then, there’s a medical team in the room. If you don’t do an efficient pre-session you will be stuck saying “he,she,they,her, the mom, the dad, the sister, the neighbor, the nurse, the xray tech, the doctor, the phlebotomist” instead of “I”. It will be a recipe for chaos because everyone will talk at once and now you will lose control of flow, direct first person communication and efficacy. So always make time for it, even if its 5 seconds, remember you are in control of the communication within both parties.

[Alexandra Cumplido]

Hi Leonisa, you make a great point when you say the pre-session allows the interpreter to clarify any expectations and establish guidelines. However, a pre-session will not give you any medical context, it is solely an introduction for yourself to the provider and to the patient. Also, you mentioned that the pre-session would help navigate cultural differences but in actuality the pre-session will not do that, that instead is part of your role as cultural broker. Providers are not in any obligation to give you a summary of the patients medical history, I know you may be wondering so how will I know what to say? well, this is where the medical terminology comes to play. The more you study different terms and you get exposure to different scenarios that more your medical terminology expands. This is the beauty of this career, you are always learning. That being said, it is crucial for the interpreter to do their pre-session on every single encounter. It doesn’t have to be a long speech, it is as a short as an elevator speech per say. Just because your provider knows the rules it doesn’t mean the patients do. So by setting those expectations right away you set yourself up for a successful encounter each time.

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