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Title
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The Hidden Roles of Healthcare Interpreters
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Creator
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Marisa Rueda Will
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Degree Name
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Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies
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Project Type
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thesis
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Date
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6/1/2026
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Abstract
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Healthcare interpreters play a critical role in facilitating communication between limited English proficient (LEP) patients and healthcare providers. While professional standards traditionally emphasize linguistic mediation, interpreters often perform additional functions that influence patient experiences, provider communication, and healthcare delivery. This study examined the extent to which healthcare interpreters engage in activities linguistic message transfer and explored how these activities are perceived by interpreters, healthcare providers, and Spanish-speaking LEP patients.
Using a mixed-methods survey design, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from healthcare interpreters (n = 159), healthcare providers (n = 19), and Spanish-speaking LEP patients (n = 15). Survey responses were analyzed to identify activities performed beyond language interpretation and to examine stakeholder perspectives regarding the appropriateness and value of these contributions.
Findings indicated that interpreters frequently engaged in activities such as providing emotional support, facilitating patient understanding, contributing cultural and linguistic insights, and assisting patients in navigating healthcare experiences. While respondents across all three groups generally recognized the value of these contributions, perspectives differed regarding professional boundaries and the appropriate scope of the interpreter role. The findings suggest that healthcare interpreters occupy a complex position within healthcare encounters that extends beyond traditional role definitions and may contribute to communication, patient experiences, and language access outcomes.
Keywords: Healthcare interpreters, language access, patient advocacy, care coordination, cultural mediation, LEP patients, health disparities.
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Keywords
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Healthcare interpreters
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LEP patients
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Interpreter Roles
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Committee Member
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Elisa Maroney
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Elizabeth Jean-Baptiste
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Amanda Smith
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Rights
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Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 07/27/2026, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
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Language
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eng
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spa
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Type
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text
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data
