Medical interpreter in Germany

If a patient is not fluent in German or English and does not know medical terminology, the presence of an interpreter at examinations, ward rounds and consultations is a strict requirement at medical institutions. If the doctor concludes during an appointment that the patient is not following what is being said, they are entitled to break it off and require that an interpreter be present. Having an interpreter at all key discussions, consultations and examinations makes things easier both for you and for the doctors. An interpreter-coordinator helps you register at the clinic, sign contracts, make payments and fill in the questionnaires needed to take your medical history; translates spoken and written descriptions of examinations, including information on possible health risks; arranges the times and dates of your scheduled consultations and examinations; and takes part in consultations and diagnostic procedures. If you are admitted to hospital, they will help you settle a host of everyday matters — arranging internet access, buying a phone card, ordering meals and so on; and in dealings with the doctors and the hospital administration they will coordinate and keep track of your appointment schedule and promptly resolve any issue connected with your treatment and your stay in Germany. A medical interpreter in Germany is not a luxury but an essential condition for successful treatment.