Interpretation Services
- Introduction
- Testimonials
Since 1993, PALS for Health has worked to ensure that Limited-English Proficient (LEP) health care consumers receive timely and quality health care in a culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate manner. Over the last year, PALS for Health provided no-cost, quality, trained health care interpretation services to over 2,600 limited English proficient clients speaking:
- Armenian
- Cambodian (Khmer)
- Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Teo-Chew and Taiwanese)
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Russian
- Spanish
- Thai
- Vietnamese
We are currently developing the capacity to deliver interpretation services in Tagalog and Farsi.
All interpreters work with us on an "on-call" basis. Please keep in mind that we do not have interpreters stationed at the PALS for Health offices. We respectfully request at least a 48 -hour (2 business days) notice for all requests.
To assist us in matching your client with the most appropriate interpreter, health care providers should be prepared to furnish PALS for Health staff with the following patient information:
- Ethnicity and language(s) or dialect(s)
- Gender and date of birth
- Nature of service (physical therapy, ultrasound, HIV testing, etc.)
- Date, time and place of the appointment
- Name and telephone number of the patient and health care provider
The above information is required to help us better serve you and your patient, and will be kept strictly confidential.
Appointment preparation checklist:
Important things to remember before & during your appointment
- Ask for an interpreter when you are making your appointment
- Ask your doctor to write your spoken language in your chart
- Write down any questions for your doctor before your appointment
- Ask your questions at the start of your appointment
- Ask for an interpreter when scheduling your follow-up appointment
You may also submit your interpretation request on-line.
If you require an interpreter for a follow-up appointment, please call PALS for Health directly instead of scheduling directly with the interpreter. This policy is observed to avoid any conflict in each interpreter's availability.
“I went to a pretty decent medical school, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and lesson number one is that the patient’s history makes up 70% of the diagnosis. So that patient’s history...is the critical element in whether we, as practitioners, are going to get this right. And sometimes, we have only one chance to make a positive impact on our patient’s health. Incorrect understanding can turn that into a negative experience.” John Pescetti, MD, La Clinica de la Raza, Testimony at DMHC hearing, 02/16/2006.
“We all know that in the conversation between doctor and patient, the most important part of communication is the usage of correct terminology.” Mr. Shi Heng-Xiao, PALS for Health’s client.
“In the two and a half years of my treatment plan, including operation, chemotherapy and follow-up appointments, the PALS for Health interpreters were with me every step of the way. Their help gave me strength and confidence to survive cancer, and these were key to restoring my health.” Mrs. Lian Zhen Li, PALS for Health’s client.
“My PALS for Health’s interpreter helped me understand my health and helped give me a voice when I couldn’t do it myself”, an HIV+ client of PALS for Health.
“I requested your contact information from Ms. L in order to explain to you how much the medical and administrative team here at the Center for International Health & Telemedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, admires the work of Ms. L with our dear patient baby H who came from China for treatment, and unfortunately could not have her mother with her due to certain circumstances. Ms. L was very professional, friendly, passionate and very patient, she bonded with baby H, comforted her and explained and interpreted with great talent very complicated medical issues and procedures to her father who also appreciated very much the care and passion he found in Ms. L. I feel comfortable to speak on behalf of my colleagues to thank you for Ms. L’s services; we look forward to work with her again in future cases from China.” Nagi Iskander MBChB, DCH, DTM/IH, MPH, Director, Center for International Health & Telemedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
“Looking back at the past 12 years of my work as a PALS for Health’s interpreter, ‘amazing!’ epitomizes all my feelings…We all need to give voice to the importance of quality interpretation services and to help build a better, healthy and harmonious multicultural community.” Ms. Chia-Rhu Yang, PALS for Health’s Interpreter.
“What I find most rewarding as a health care interpreter is seeing the look of relief on people’s faces when they know they are able to communicate and understand everything during the session with their doctor. They leave their appointments feeling assured that no question is left unanswered.” Ms. Ana Maria Garcia, PALS for Health’s Interpreter.
