https://doi.org/10.24552/00002164 ©青森県立保健大学
A study on Aomori Prefecture “Medical Interpreter Training” participants’ background and interpreting skills and knowledge
Kie Kawauchi1） and Mellisa Ogasawara2）
1）Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aomori University of Health and Welfare
2）Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aomori University of Health and Welfare
（Recieved March 29, 2021; Accepted May 24, 2021）
ABSTRACT
［Objective］To present the background of participants in the Aomori Prefecture “Medical Interpreter
Training” and determine changes in participants’ awareness of interpreting skills and knowledge, as
well as to suggest the future shape of medical interpreter training.
［Methods］An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was given to 154 participants who attended the
Aomori Prefecture “Medical Interpreter Training,” which ran from 2013 to 2019. This study compared the
changes in consciousness before and after the training regarding three areas: skills, ability, and knowledge.
［Results］Beginning interpreters included those simply interested in medical interpreting and those who
hoped to contribute somehow. On the other hand, older, experienced participants tended to take the
training because they want to use their past interpretation experience. These older, experienced participants
could be considered valuable human resources available to support foreign patients and
medical professionals. Many respondents claimed to have less confidence in their “skills” and “ability”
after the training compared with before the training. It is possible that because participants could not
see any immediate improvement in these areas, and after understanding what specific skills and ability
are needed, they became harsher in evaluating their own skills. With regards to “knowledge,”
participants claimed they had gained knowledge of “ethical issues,” “medical environment for foreigners,”
and “medical issues for foreigners” after the training, which showed the training effectively
increased knowledge for these three items.
［Conclusions］Factors beginning interpreters find challenging to deal with in the medical field are a lack
of information, knowledge, and skills. The further problem is that they cannot grasp what they are
not good at and lack. Since medical interpreters need to be technically confident, training opportunities
that allow for continuous participation would be an important step in helping them understand
their own strengths and weaknesses.
Key words: medical interpreter training, interpreting skills, knowledge, participants’ background