Interpreting Difficult Conversations in the Virtual World - Interpreter’s Perspective

Presenter Information

Joyce Zhang, BS, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Kaitlyn Williams, MS
Kathleen Mechler, MD, Thomas Jefferson University HospitalFollow

Start Date

5-15-2025 9:30 AM

End Date

5-15-2025 11:30 AM

Description

Background

• Medical Interpreters are essential in language discordant patient-family-team interactions
  • Facilitate clear communication
  • Aid in understanding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options
• Prior studies highlight range in interpreter comfort with serious illness conversations (SIC) though limited to in-person interpreter experience
• Rise of quick-access virtual interpreter services across the nation in many healthcare setting

Keywords

health equity, medical interpreter, palliative care

Comments

Presented at the 2025 Jefferson Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit.