Talking to Your Doctor
Healthy Translation
Tips for Finding the Best Translator to Bring to the Doctor's Office
No visit to the doctor is a success if you leave confused. You need to have a clear and honest talk with your doctor about your health. In order to make the most of a visit to the doctor, you need to be able to have a clear and honest talk with him or her about your health. We understand that talking to a doctor or nurse can be tough. Sometimes it's even a little scary. This can be even harder if language is there is a barrier. Before your next doctor visit, find out if your doctor speaks Spanish or has a translator. If not, you should bring your own translator.
Finding the right translator is critical. To help you choose yours, keep these four guidelines in mind:
- Pick a translator who is at least 18 years old
Some things you will talk about with your doctor can be serious or complicated. Your translator must be mature enough to handle any topics that come up. Your translator must also understand everything and be able to translate the doctor’s advice correctly so you can understand it. - Find a translator who understands Spanish AND English very well
Medical words and phrases can be confusing. If your translator is new to the Spanish language or has just learned how to speak English, he or she might miss important details. A confused translator could give you incorrect information. And this can be dangerous. - Choose someone you trust
Doctor’s visits are often routine. You may have your height, weight and blood pressure checked, for example. There are no surprises at most visits. However, sometimes you may have to answer tough questions or talk about personal topics. For example, your doctor may need to ask about your sexual activity. Make sure you are comfortable including your translator in these private conversations. - Think carefully before bringing your child
Many people bring their children as translators. If your child is an adult and your primary caregiver, this may be an easy decision. But if you have a younger child, remember that some topics you talk about with your doctor may be sensitive. You may not want to make him or her uncomfortable.
Finally, you may get to your doctor’s office and find that his or her translator does not seem to understand English or Spanish well, and that you still have questions. If this happens, ask your doctor to write down the important information. That way you can have it translated by somebody you trust when you leave the office.
Use these tips to make a list of the people you know who may be right for the job. If you don't have a friend or family member who meets your needs, check with your doctor’s office. They might have some advice for you.
