Resources for Interpreting in Medical Settings

Interpreter’s Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS October, 2007, reprinted with permission)
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.

ASL & English Resources for Interpreting in Medical Settings:
www.medicalinterpreting.org

This comprehensive website is administered by the CATIE (Collaborative for the Advancement of Teaching Interpreting Excellence) Center at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. Just about every imaginable aspect of medical interpreting is covered in this still-growing website, from medical specialties, to pharmaceutical information, to general interpreting frameworks and how they apply to medical settings. Interpreters will find multiple aids to professional development here, such as a guide to setting up an RID-approved independent study using the study packets, CD-ROMs, and DVDs available through the site. Visitirs can also view samples from the audiovisual resources available for purchase through the site. Extensive links to other sites provide excellent medical resource information in both English and ASL. Of special note is the “Interpreting in Medical Settings Blog”, which offers ASL video commentary on various aspects of medical interpreting from Deaf consumers and experienced interpreters, along with a written English translation of each video. The site contains resource sections for patients and healthcare providers as well, and the tips for working with interpreters and summary of laws relating to interpreting services will be an excellent resource for interpreters and agencies needing to give background information to healthcare providers. Every interpreter, from the student to the veteran with years of experience in medical settings can find something to learn from in this expansive, well-designed site.

This column appears monthly in VIEWS. Please direct questions, comments, or suggestions for resources to highlight in future issues to Kathy MacMillan at info@kathymacmillan.com.