Investigating the interpreter’s role(s)

Interpreting ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demi Krystallidou

Although the interpreter’s function in interaction has attracted significant interest in the literature, the focus is often restricted to verbal interaction alone. This paper introduces an analytical framework, based on Goffman’s construct of role, to examine how participants’ actions: (i) carry communicative meaning that complements their use of language; ii) are interdependent with those of other participants. The analysis also takes into account the normative frameworks which, to a certain extent, shape the interpreter’s and the doctor’s actions. Transcribed excerpts of two authentic medical consultations are examined, along with video stills. The recordings, with interpreting between Dutch and Russian, were made at a Belgian hospital; informed consent and ethical approval were obtained. It is shown that interpreters’ use of non-verbal resources can favour the patient’s inclusion in interaction when s/he is bypassed by the doctor, possibly interested in involving only the interpreter and in leaving little, if any, opportunity for the patient’s voice to be heard.

Author(s):  
Demi K. Krystallidou

The present study aims to shed some light on indicators that might potentially challenge patient-centredness (as practised by self-professed patient-centred doctors) within a mediated medical encounter, and to contribute to the fields of linguistics, translation studies and medical communication. Selected instances of transcribed video recordings are analysed within the framework of Goffman’s footing and participation roles, while transcribed audio recorded interviews with participants in the triad are taken into consideration as well. Both verbal and non-verbal cues (i.e., gaze) are taken into account. The data is drawn from a corpus of video-recorded mediated consultations in a urban hospital in Belgium. Hospital ethical approval and subjects’ written informed consent have been obtained


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter Bakker ◽  
Siem Zethof ◽  
Felix Nansongole ◽  
Kelvin Kilowe ◽  
Jos van Roosmalen ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Informed consent is a prerequisite for caesarean section, the commonest surgical procedure in low- and middle-income settings, but not always acquired to an appropriate extent. Exploring perceptions of health care workers may aid in improving clinical practice around informed consent. We aim to explore health workers’ beliefs and experiences related to principles and practice of informed consent. Methods Qualitative study conducted between January and June 2018 in a rural 150-bed mission hospital in Southern Malawi. Clinical observations, semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion were used to collect data. Participants were 22 clinical officers, nurse-midwives and midwifery students involved in maternity care. Data were analysed to identify themes and construct an analytical framework. Results Definition and purpose of informed consent revolved around providing information, respecting women’s autonomy and achieving legal protection. Due to fear of blame and litigation, health workers preferred written consent. Written consent requires active participation by the consenting individual and was perceived to transfer liability to that person. A woman’s refusal to provide written informed consent may pose a dilemma for the health worker between doing good and respecting autonomy. To prevent such refusal, health workers said to only partially disclose surgical risks in order to minimize women's anxiety. Commonly perceived barriers to obtain a fully informed consent were labour pains, language barriers, women’s lack of education and their dependency on others to make decisions. Conclusions Health workers are familiar with the principles around informed consent and aware of its advantages, but fear of blame and litigation, partial disclosure of risks and barriers to communication hamper the process of obtaining informed consent. Findings can be used to develop interventions to improve the informed consent process.


2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina M Rashad ◽  
Fiona MacVane Phipps ◽  
Melanie Haith-Cooper

This article explores the concept of internationally acceptable codes of ethics within the context of an Egyptian nurse’s PhD studies. Theoretical work, including gaining ethical approval for the project, took place in the UK, while the data collection phase of the study was done in Egypt. This highlighted areas where the Arab Muslim interpretation of some ethical principles, especially around the issue of gaining informed consent, differed from that currently accepted in British research ethics. The authors argue that it may not be possible, or even desirable, to standardize codes of ethics globally in areas such as academic research. Ethical principles develop from a unique mix of culture and religion. It may be more important to develop cultural competence that includes the ability to understand and respect the way in which ethical principles are interpreted by various societies.


Author(s):  
Sara Pittarello

Two medical encounters taking place in a Northern Italian hospital are analysed in this paper from a qualitative point of view, based on the author’s previous research. The aim is to reveal the strategies adopted by medical interpreters, in these two specific cases, to translate medical terminology and promote/exclude interlocutors’ active participation. This latter aspect is influenced by the way the interaction is socially and linguistically organised and, in particular, by how interlocutors’ utterances are translated. The prevalence of dyadic or triadic sequences and especially the shifts between such communication exchanges are pivotal in fostering or hindering interlocutors’ participation. Furthermore, medical interactions, as a form of institutional talk, enshrine specific expectations, which are mainly of a cognitive nature but may also be affective, as in the two encounters observed. By conveying such expectations and expressions of personal interest, interpreters have proved to contribute to the fair distribution of active participation among primary interlocutors. Hospital ethical approval and subjects’ written informed consent have been obtained.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-79
Author(s):  
Rajpal Nandra ◽  
Alan F. Brockie ◽  
Faisal Hussain

A vulnerable participant in research lacks capacity to consent or may be exposed to coercion to participate. Capacity may be temporarily impaired due to loss of consciousness, hypoxia, pain and the consumption of alcohol or elicit substances. To advance emergency care, providing life-threatening measures in life-threatening circumstances, vulnerable patients are recruited into research studies. The urgent need for time-critical treatment conflicts with routine informed consent procedures. This article reviews ethical considerations and moral obligations to safeguard these participants and preserve their autonomy. A particular focus is given to research methodology to waive consent, and the role of ethics committees, research audits, research nurses and community engagement. Research on the acutely unwell patient who lacks capacity is possible with well-designed research trials that are led by investigators who are sufficiently trained, engage the community, gain ethical approval to waive consent and continuously audit practice. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:73-79. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.180051


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 2179-2186
Author(s):  
Junjira Laothavorn ◽  
Pantipa Wongwai ◽  
Shyam Prakash Dumre ◽  
Panida Kongjam ◽  
Kesara Na-Bangchang ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 973-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanni Wu ◽  
Michelle Howarth ◽  
Chunlan Zhou ◽  
Xue Ji ◽  
Jiexia Ou ◽  
...  

Background: It is acknowledged that publishers now require all primary research papers to demonstrate that they have obtained ethical approval for their research. Objectives: To assess the rate of reporting of ethical approval in clinical trials in core nursing journals in mainland China. Research design: A retrospective observational study. Participants: All clinical trials published in all of the 12 core nursing periodicals from 2016 edition China Science and Technology Journal Citation Report (core version) between 2013 and 2016 were retrieved by hand to explicate rate of reporting ethical approval and informed consent. Ethical considerations: The study did not require approval from the research ethics committee as it did not involve human subjects or records. Results: In total, 40,278 papers were published in 12 nursing periodicals between 2013 and 2016. Out of these, 9488 (23.6%) focused on clinical trials. Informed consent obtained from patients or the legally authorized representative was reported in 51.8% of clinical trials. Notably, only 27.4% of clinical trials reported that they had obtained written consent. Furthermore, 25.9% of clinical trials described ethical approval; however, the rate of reporting informed consent and ethical approval in these 12 nursing journals in China during 4 years from 2013 to 2016 improved markedly, with 38.1%, 44.0%, 59.0% and 66.6%, respectively ( p < 0.001), and 17.6%, 21.9%, 28.6% and 35.8%, respectively ( p < 0.001). In addition, both reporting informed consent and reporting written informed consent had a positive significant correlation with the reporting ethical approval ( p < 0.05 or < 0.01). Conclusion: Chinese scientific nursing journals have improved the rate of reporting informed consent and ethical approval in clinical trials during the last 4 years. However, it should be noted that nearly half of clinical trials still did not report either ethical approval or whether informed consent was obtained. Efforts from editors, researchers, sponsors and authors are needed to ensure the transparency of ethical scrutiny and adherence to ethical guidelines in publishing clinical trials in Chinese nursing journals.


2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhian C Fitzgerald ◽  
Girvan Burnside ◽  
Jayne E Harrison

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