Medical Interpreter Services
Why Boostlingo?
- 24/7 Access to Medical Interpreters
- Qualified and Compliant Interpreters
- 300+ Languages
- Easy-To-Use App
- Dedicated Support
- Save 20%
On-Demand Interpretation in Action
Learn about the main features and benefits of Boostlingo On-Demand, including: Connecting with interpreters in seconds, use on any device, adding new users with ease, scheduling sessions, customizing call settings, and accessing call logs to manage language services.
Buyers Guide to Finding an On-Demand Interpretation Partner
This free ebook explores why on-demand interpretation is an essential tool for compliance and serving diverse communities and prepares you to evaluate potential partners.
Provide the Best Possible Care Regardless of Language
Communication is essential to delivering care. With over 25.7 million limited English proficient (LEP) individuals and 11 million Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HoH) people in the U.S., don’t let language barriers stop you. Our technology lowers the barriers to language services and reduces the administrative burden on your team.
On-Demand Interpreting
Connect in seconds with the largest global network of interpreters, 24/7. Set your team up for success on any device. It’s powerful and easy.
Interpretation Management
Integrate onsite and remote interpreter services. Manage interpreter scheduling, communications, analytics, and billing in one place.
Translation Services
Translate your patient forms, discharge instructions, and more. Tap into our network of professional translators who are ready to bring your message to life.
Related Case Studies
See how Boostlingo customers around the world are driving growth with medical interpretation services.
Aeroflow Health
Goshen Health
Canadian Pediatric Hospital
Orthopedic Institute
Medical Interpretation FAQs
What is a medical interpreter? What is their primary job and what do they do differently from other interpreters?
Medical interpreters are specialized language professionals who facilitate communication between healthcare providers and patients who do not speak the same language. Their primary role is to ensure the accurate exchange of medical information (i.e. medical history, treatment options, and more) between both parties.
Just like other interpreters, they display excellent proficiency in the languages they speak and demonstrate the ability to interpret between them effectively. For medical interpreters, what sets them apart from other interpreters is that they have a thorough understanding of complex medical processes and terminologies in the medical field, allowing them to navigate through healthcare settings effectively.
Why is medical interpretation important?
In multilingual nations such as the United States, medical interpreting is increasingly important given that hospitals are dealing with an increased number of limited English speaking patients.
As an example, there are currently over 57 million Spanish speakers in the United States and this figure is constantly on the rise. Healthcare centers need to be prepared with an effective language access plan since some of their patients may speak Spanish as their primary language. Failure to communicate effectively may lead to grave medical errors, poor health outcomes, and even legal liability. Medical interpretation is a key element in providing equal access to healthcare for all patients, regardless of the languages they speak.
Do medical interpreters need to be certified?
In the United States, there is limited certification of medical interpreters. Since interpretation services may come in different language pairs, formal certification isn’t always available for all variations. However, just because a medical interpreter isn’t certified doesn’t mean that they aren’t qualified to do the job. In Boostlingo’s case, our medical interpreters meet the same, rigorous professional requirements, whether certified or not.
What’s the difference between a medical translator and a medical interpreter? Can a professional take on both roles?
Medical translators focus on written medical documents to accurately translate text from one language to another. On the other hand, medical interpreters work in spoken or sign languages, serving as a conduit between the healthcare provider and the patient as they communicate in real-time. A medical translator may also become a medical interpreter given that the required skills for both occupations are closely related. However, they are separate professions. Each has its training requirements and certifications. Just because someone is qualified to translate medical texts does not automatically mean that he or she is qualified to medically interpret a medical consultation or emergency.
Are medical centers required to have interpreters?
In certain countries, healthcare providers are legally obligated to offer language access services to patients. For the United States, laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act are in place to ensure that healthcare is accessible to every person regardless of their language proficiency. But whether or not healthcare providers are legally bound to have interpreters, the positive impact of healthcare interpretation services on patient care outcomes should not be overlooked.
