Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Professional Interpreting in Healthcare
Communication is essential for good and safe treatment. If patients and treatment providers do not understand each other, important information can fall through the cracks – with consequences for diagnosis, treatment, patient safety, and trust. Professional interpreting ensures effective communication and that patient rights are respected. However, there are still some unanswered questions regarding professional interpreting in healthcare settings: Who has the right to access interpreting services? How are they organised and funded? What quality criteria apply? And why is interpreting a key element of good healthcare? In this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section, we address some of these questions in order to provide an initial overview of the topic of professional interpreting in healthcare and to consolidate existing knowledge. This collection of questions is by no means exhaustive; we will continuously update the FAQ with new questions and additional information. Please send any comments or suggestions to
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General Information about Interpreting
What is meant by professional interpreting in healthcare?
‘Professional interpreting’ in healthcare refers to support provided by qualified individuals in cases where there are communication problems between patients and any professionals involved in their care, such as doctors, nursing staff, therapists, and other psychosocial professionals. The aim is to ensure reliable, comprehensive, and clear communication. In practice, however, relatives, medical personnel, or people who simply happen to be present are still often used as interpreters despite their lack of formal qualifications, which carries the risk of inaccurate translations [1].
What are the different forms of professional interpreting?
The following interpreting formats are currently used in medical contexts:
- In-person interpreting** (face-to-face)
- Telephone remote interpreting** (often accessible within minutes and around the clock)
- Video remote interpreting**
- Digital interpreting (e.g. AI-supported direct translation, medical phrase libraries, medical history aids, direct translation apps)
**These formats can be scheduled or offered on an on-demand basis.
Why is professional interpreting important in healthcare?
Communication is the basis of all medical treatment. In the event of a language barrier, interpreting allows for an accurate medical history to be taken, as well as comprehensible explanations, informed consent, and active patient participation. A lack of communication can lead to incorrect treatment, medication errors, or complications [2–4]. Studies show that interpreting improves patient safety, adherence to treatment, and satisfaction [5]. At the same time, professional interpreting relieves the burden on healthcare specialists and helps to ensure legally compliant, professional care [5].
Legal Status
Is there a legal right to professional interpreting?
There is no general, legally defined right to professional interpreting in healthcare. However, constitutional requirements and individual legal provisions, such as the Patients’ Rights Act, impose (indirect) obligations to ensure adequate linguistic communication [6]:
- Constitutional requirements: Article 1 of the German Basic Law (human dignity), Article 2 of the German Basic Law (physical integrity and self-determination), and Article 3 of the German Basic Law (equal treatment) set out constitutional requirements for providing comprehensible medical information. Language barriers must not lead to discrimination; valid consent therefore requires adequate communication.
- The Patients’ Rights Act
(Sections 630c, 630e of the German Civil Code) obliges doctors to inform patients about treatment and risks in comprehensible terms. Valid consent requires that patients are able to understand the content of the information provided. If linguistic support is required, there is an obligation to ensure that appropriate communication aids are available. - Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (AsylbLG): Costs for interpreting can be covered on the basis of Sections 4 and 6 of the AsylbLG. Section 4 of the AsylbLG covers the treatment of acute illnesses and pain; this may include medically necessary interpreting services. Section 6(1) of the AsylbLG also allows services to be provided under other circumstances if they are necessary in individual cases to ensure successful treatment or for reasons of public interest (discretionary benefit). Individuals who receive benefits under the AsylbLG are eligible. Approval is granted by the relevant authority and, in urgent cases, may be granted directly under Section 4 of the AsylbLG.
- Sign language interpreting: Currently, only the use of sign language interpreters is expressly stipulated by law (Section 17 (2) of the German Social Code I). This service must be provided to hearing-impaired people if it is needed to facilitate communication.
What should be considered when involving/using professional interpreting services?
The involvement of professional interpreting services requires at least implied consent (recognisable agreement) from patients.
- Confidentiality: Interpreters must be bound to confidentiality. This applies to both professional and volunteer interpreters.
- Data protection: Interpreters have access to sensitive health data and are therefore subject to medical confidentiality (Section 203 of the German Civil Code) and the data protection requirements of the GDPR. Healthcare professionals and institutions must ensure that interpreters work confidentially, are contractually bound to confidentiality, and that data is only processed for the purposes of treatment. Secure, encrypted communication channels must be used for digital interpreting.
- Documentation: It is advisable to document the form of interpreting used, as this can be useful in clarifying issues relating to liability.
- Liability and duty of care: If harm occurs as a result of incorrect or inadequate professional interpreting (e.g. misunderstandings regarding medication dosages, invalid consent), this may have consequences regarding liability. Interpreters may be liable if they provide grossly negligent interpreting services and this results in harm (Section 823 of the German Civil Code). However, there must always be evidence of a demonstrable breach of duty and a causal link between the error and the harm caused.
Costs and Funding
Who covers the costs of professional interpreting?
There are currently no standardised arrangements for covering costs [7]:
- Hospitals: cost coverage comes partly from their own funds or through funding projects.
- Licensed doctors and psychotherapists: usually no cost coverage; patients often have to pay themselves.
- Local and state funding structures: some federal states have programmes to support interpreting services, for example telephone and video remote interpreting or for specific target groups. These services are usually project-based, fixed-term, or limited to a specific region.
Quality and Standards
What qualifications do interpreters have?
There are currently no legally defined standards for professional interpreters. As a result, the level of qualification of interpreters varies greatly. Professional interpreting services usually work with qualified interpreters who have many years of professional experience and/or have passed an examination. In addition, they sometimes offer training courses on specialist medical knowledge, confidentiality, ethics, and a clear understanding of the role.
Unlike court interpreters, interpreters working in the healthcare sector are not legally required to take an oath. There is also no legal obligation to swear in interpreters working in a medical context or to only use sworn interpreters.
For many years, there have been calls to introduce minimum national standards – for example, relating to qualifications, certification, and continuing professional development – in order to ensure the long-term quality and reliability of professional interpreting in healthcare [8].
How do professional, in-person interpreting sessions usually work?
There are no set organisational guidelines. In practice, the following structure for professional, in-person interpreting sessions has proven effective [9]:
- Interpreter is requested.
- Preparation for interpreting session: consider separate waiting areas for interpreters and patients.
- Interpreting: prepare seating arrangement (triangular, so that there is eye contact between the specialist and the patient).
- Data protection and confidentiality are clarified (usually when booking through the agency).
- Brief the interpreter on their role, tasks, and upcoming topics.
- Conduct the session.
- Interpreting is neutral and complete.
- Address patients directly (dialogue form in direct speech).
- Follow-up discussion with interpreter with opportunity for constructive feedback.
Literatur
- Cox, A., Rosenberg, E., Thommeret-Carrière, A.-S., Huyghens, L., Humblé, P., & Leanza, Y. (2019). Using patient companions as interpreters in the Emergency Department: An interdisciplinary quantitative and qualitative assessment. Patient Education and Counseling, 102(8), 1439–1445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2019.03.004
- Führer, A., & Brzoska, P. (2022). Die Relevanz des Dolmetschens im Gesundheitssystem. Das Gesundheitswesen, 84(05), 474–478. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1276-0897
- Díaz-Millón, M., & Olvera-Lobo, M. D. (2025). Systematic meta-review on migrant healthcare access: Language barriers and the role of translation. Journal of Migration and Health, 12, 100358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100358
- Hertner, L., Schödwell, S., Savin, M., Penka, S., & Kluge, U. (2025). Sprachbarrieren in der Gesundheitsversorgung – eine explorative Befragung von Gesundheitspersonal und Vertreter*innen der migrantischen (Selbst-)Organisation in Baden-Württemberg. Das Gesundheitswesen, 87(08/09), 546–554. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2595-0793
- Schödwell, S., Savin, M., Lauke, A., Abels, I., Abdel-Fatah, D., Penka, S., & Kluge, U. (2022). Strukturelle Diskriminierung und Rassismus in der Krankenhausversorgung: Die Rolle ökonomischer Rahmenbedingungen in der interkulturellen Öffnung. Bundesgesundheitsblatt – Gesundheitsforschung – Gesundheitsschutz, 65(12), 1307–1315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-022-03615-x
- Positionspapier Bündnis Sprachmittlung: Kurzversion und Langversion
- Heath, M., Hvass, A. M. F., & Wejse, C. M. (2023). Interpreter services and effect on healthcare–A systematic review of the impact of different types of interpreters on patient outcome. Journal of Migration and Health, 7, 100162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100162
- Qualifizierungs-Angebot: SprInt Qualifizierung zum/zur Sprach- und Integrationsmittler/-in
- Geiling, A., Knaevelsrud, C., Behnam Shad, K., & Stammel, N. (2022). Psychotherapie mit Dolmetschenden – Schritt für Schritt. PSYCH up2date, 16(02), 102–107. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1392-3352