27/03/2026
(Visiting a Doctor Without an Interpreter)
I have been selected, alongside my colleagues Mr Bashar Hanna and Ms Nadia Bouchti, as Community Ambassadors for the Arab community as part of the campaign โWe All Deserve to Be Understood,โ launched by the Cultural Pulse Foundation to promote the diverse interpreting and translation services provided by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
With my experience as a medical doctor practicing in Australia since 1997, I see many problems and challenges that doctors face when dealing with patients without an interpreter or with an unqualified oneโespecially when there is a language barrier. The most notable include:
1. Poor communication and misdiagnosis
The doctor may misunderstand symptoms, medical history, or the severity of the condition, leading to inaccurate or delayed diagnosis.
2. Issues with informed consent
The patient may not fully understand medical procedures, risks, or treatment options, making it difficult to obtain proper informed consent ethically and legally.
3. Medication errors
Patients may misunderstand medication instructions (dosage, timing, side effects), increasing the risk of misuse or non-adherence.
4. Reduced patient trust and engagement
Patients may feel anxious, marginalized, or distrustful, leading to poor participation in their treatment plan.
5. Longer consultation time
Doctors spend more time trying to communicate using gestures, simple words, or translation apps, which can cause pressure and frustration.
6. Confidentiality risks
Using family members or friends as interpreters may compromise patient privacy and can lead to inaccurate or biased information being conveyed.
7. Cultural misunderstandings
Language barriers are often linked to cultural differences that affect how symptoms are described, how medical care is understood, and patient expectations.
8. Legal and professional risks
In countries like Australia, healthcare providers are expected to ensure patients understand their treatment plans. Failure to provide appropriate language support may lead to complaints or legal accountability.
Conclusion:
Not using a professional interpreter increases the likelihood of medical errors, poor outcomes, and patient dissatisfaction. Therefore, engaging a qualified interpreter is essential, especially in complex or sensitive cases.
Question:
Have you or a family member ever had an experience communicating with doctors without an interpreter, or even with one?
We would love to hear from youโplease share your experiences and opinions!
