Healthcare interpreting is one of the most important areas of community interpreting, where issues of life and death may be at stake. Cases in the media frequently reveal the impact that interpreting can have on the plight of patients. Yet, despite the importance of healthcare interpreting, most countries still lack a formal system of training and accreditation for healthcare interpreters, and most of the demand is met by ad-hoc arrangements, often involving family members. This panel, which will be jointly organised by the IATIS Training Committee and Bogazici University in Istanbul, aims to focus on the main issues in developing and implementing proper healthcare interpreting systems and services.

Panel leaders:

Bernd Meyer from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz will join the panel online and set up the main framework for the discussion, giving examples from international practice. Jonathan Ross from Bogazici University will survey the situation in Turkey, focusing on the need for, and challenges in, creating formal systems for healthcare interpreting. The panel will also host a healthcare interpreter (name to be confirmed) who will talk about the day-to-day issues in interpreting in healthcare settings. The panel will take place at Bogazici University on 9 May 2104, 2 pm. It will be recorded and made available on the IATIS website.

The event is free but you need to register. For further information on registration and venue contact:

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