Medical interpreters have feelings too

All 22 members of the interpreter service of the Geneva Red Cross were invi ted to answer an anonymous questionnaire with questions about their work wi th refugees and asylum seekers. Five (28%) reported having been exposed to a major traumatic event such as war; torture, detention, being beaten. Seve n interpreters reported that more than 50% of their sessions involved patie nts exposed to violence. Five interpreters (28%) frequently experienced dif ficult feelings during sessions. Twelve (66%) had frequently painful memori es, The proportion of interpreters having painful feelings and symptoms inc with the number of sessions wish victims of violence. Interpreters also ex pressed a strong need to talk and share feelings after the session with the medical doctor (83%) or with relatives or spouse (44%). Fifteen (83%) repo rted seeing patients again outside the consultation, Doctors should be awar e of these pressures and give time to interpreters to share their feelings and emotions, to help them cope with their reactions.