Communication barrier between doctor and patient. A web of thread separates them.

Lost in Translation: Are Healthcare Providers Cutting Corners on Interpretation Services?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study uncovers the factors that lead medical staff to use untrained interpreters, potentially compromising patient care and safety."

In the United States, where linguistic diversity is a hallmark of its population, the healthcare sector faces a significant challenge: ensuring effective communication between providers and patients who have limited English proficiency (LEP). With sixty million people speaking a language other than English, it is imperative to bridge the communication gap to guarantee equitable access to care.

When patients struggle to articulate their symptoms or understand treatment instructions, the consequences can be severe. Misdiagnoses, unnecessary tests, and even hospital readmissions can stem from these linguistic barriers. Healthcare facilities often juggle two types of interpretation services: professional interpreters and ad hoc interpreters. Professional interpreters receive formal training and are versed in medical terminology and ethical standards, whereas ad hoc interpreters include family members, friends, or untrained staff who may not have the required expertise.

A study highlighted in Hispanic Health Care International sheds light on this critical issue, probing the perceptions of healthcare providers regarding interpretation services. The research assesses the factors influencing the use of ad hoc interpreters—individuals who, while often readily available, lack the formal training and expertise of professional interpreters. This exploration is crucial for healthcare organizations aiming to improve patient outcomes, ensure regulatory compliance, and mitigate risks associated with inadequate communication.

Why Are Healthcare Providers Choosing Ad Hoc Interpreters?

Communication barrier between doctor and patient. A web of thread separates them.

The study, conducted within a large regional health system in South Carolina, surveyed 150 health services providers. It aimed to understand the factors that contribute to the use of ad hoc interpreters—a practice often seen as 'cutting corners.' The findings reveal a hierarchy of concerns and challenges that providers weigh when deciding how to facilitate communication with LEP patients.

According to the study, healthcare providers place immense value on the ability to communicate effectively during clinical encounters. However, several practical challenges often lead them to opt for ad hoc interpreters:

Difficulty Locating Qualified Interpreters: In situations where finding a professional interpreter is challenging, healthcare providers may turn to whoever is available.
Wait Times: The delay in securing a qualified interpreter can disrupt the flow of patient care, prompting providers to seek immediate alternatives.
Technical Issues: Problems with phone or video interpretation technology can also push providers toward using ad hoc interpreters.

These factors underscore the practical constraints that healthcare providers face daily. While professional interpretation is recognized as ideal, the immediate needs of patient care often take precedence, leading to compromises in service quality. The decision to use ad hoc interpreters is not necessarily a matter of undermining patient care but rather a response to systemic challenges that impede access to professional language services.

Moving Forward: Enhancing Language Access in Healthcare

To enhance language access and reduce reliance on ad hoc interpreters, healthcare organizations should focus on several key areas: increasing staff awareness of the risks associated with untrained interpreters, improving access to professional interpretation services, and addressing technical challenges that impede the use of remote interpretation technologies. By prioritizing these efforts, healthcare providers can ensure safer, more effective communication with all patients, regardless of their language proficiency.

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Everything You Need To Know

What are 'ad hoc' interpreters in healthcare, and why is using them potentially risky?

Ad hoc interpreters are individuals who are not formally trained in interpretation but are used to facilitate communication between healthcare providers and patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). This includes family members, friends or untrained staff. Using ad hoc interpreters can lead to misinterpretations, inaccurate medical histories, and compromised patient safety due to their lack of medical terminology knowledge and ethical training. Unlike professional interpreters, ad hoc interpreters may not understand the importance of confidentiality or the nuances of medical language.

Why do healthcare providers sometimes choose to use 'ad hoc' interpreters instead of professional interpreters?

Healthcare providers sometimes use ad hoc interpreters due to several factors. Difficulty locating qualified interpreters, long wait times for professional interpretation services, and technical issues with interpretation technology can all lead providers to rely on whoever is readily available, even if they lack proper training. These challenges highlight systemic issues in providing adequate language access within healthcare settings, potentially compromising the quality of care for LEP patients.

Why is it so important to use professional interpreters instead of untrained individuals?

The use of professional interpreters is crucial for ensuring effective and accurate communication between healthcare providers and patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Professional interpreters have formal training in medical terminology, ethical standards, and interpretation techniques. This ensures that medical information is conveyed accurately, reducing the risk of misdiagnoses, treatment errors, and other adverse outcomes. Their expertise helps bridge linguistic barriers and promotes patient safety and understanding.

Why is effective communication so important, specifically when dealing with patients who have limited English proficiency?

Effective communication in healthcare is especially important for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) as miscommunication can lead to misdiagnoses, incorrect treatments, and other adverse health outcomes. When patients cannot understand their treatment plans or articulate their symptoms clearly, the quality of care is significantly compromised. Ensuring clear and accurate communication is essential for patient safety, adherence to treatment, and overall well-being. This is why using Professional Interpreters is so important.

What can be done to make language access better and rely less on 'ad hoc' interpreters in healthcare settings?

To improve language access in healthcare, several steps can be taken. Increasing staff awareness about the risks of using untrained ad hoc interpreters is important. Improving access to professional interpretation services through better scheduling systems and technology. Addressing technical challenges such as improving the reliability of phone or video interpretation services. By focusing on these areas, healthcare organizations can reduce their reliance on ad hoc interpreters and ensure safer, more effective communication with all patients.