Idaho State University and Gallaudet University are partnering in this unique cooperative arrangement which they jointly proposed to carry out the goals of this project:

• Train interpreters to become specialists in healthcare interpreting through skill enhancement
• Increase interpreter’s healthcare-specific knowledge
• Promote and document best practices for over-video interpreting in healthcare settings

Photo by D K on Unsplash

What is our WHY?

The quality of communication patients experience when receiving healthcare matters.

Patients that experience effective communication with their providers are more likely to adhere to medication regimens and follow their provider’s advice. But, Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of hearing (D/DB/HH) patients, are not only more likely to be rejected as patients¹, they are also more likely to experience communication difficulties, and may be left with uncertainty about the treatment they are receiving.²

An urgent need

There are insufficient numbers of professional, healthcare-trained interpreters. Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing (D/DB/HH) individuals report that it is difficult to secure interpreters with specialized healthcare qualifications.³ D/DB/HH patients have ranked healthcare as the most important setting to have interpretation services, yet it is also the setting where they report the most difficulty obtaining services.⁴ D/DB/HH patients also report difficulties accessing healthcare when interpreter services aren’t easily obtainable locally.⁵

More trained interpreters = More equitable care

Interpreters with training and expertise in healthcare settings can afford D/DB/HH patients the opportunity to be empowered and actively participate in their care and allow providers to address gaps in health literacy.⁶