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The Role of Interpreters in Supporting Resilience and Implications for Artificial Intelligence

Background Interpreters help millions of patients with a non-English language preference (NELP) navigate the healthcare system. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are rapidly improving and undergoing testing and implementation for interpretation purposes. However, little is understood about interpreters' roles beyond direct interpretation, such as how they may promote resilience, which supports patient safety. Understanding these additional roles is critical as AI tools expand in interpretation. Objective To und…

By the Truvace desk2 min read1 sourcePeer-reviewedTRV-2026-1845· cite & verify
The Role of Interpreters in Supporting Resilience and Implications for Artificial Intelligence
Hospital Universitari Doctor Peset, València 04 by 19Tarrestnom65. CC BY-SA 4.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

In brief

Researchers held three focus groups with 17 medical interpreters about their work with patients who have a non-English language preference during ambulatory visits for new or worsening symptoms. Using Hollnagel's resilience framework, they identified eleven interpreter behaviors that go beyond strict interpretation and support patient safety.

This matters because AI tools for interpretation are being tested and implemented quickly, and the study suggests they could miss functions that protect patients during diagnosis. The findings come from interpreter experiences rather than from a test of AI tools, so the size of any actual safety gap is not measured.

Main points

  1. Seventeen medical interpreters took part in three focus groups plus result-checking.
  2. Eleven resilience-supporting behaviors were identified across four potentials: respond, monitor, learn and anticipate.
  3. Behaviors under responding include managing communication flow, strengthening the patient's voice and holding pre-briefings.
  4. Interpreters also monitor patient emotion, team dynamics and the impact of technology, and they anticipate future threats to patient safety.

The problem

AI interpretation tools do not yet support the resilience-enhancing behaviors interpreters perform, so adopting them without care could open patient safety gaps for patients with a non-English language preference.

The rundown

The study focused on ambulatory care because of the high risk of misdiagnosis as patients move across language barriers and multiple encounters in the health system. Interpreters described their experiences assisting patients during diagnostic processes.

The analysis was deductive and organized around four resilience potentials. Responding included viewing the interpretation role broadly, while monitoring included tracking patient understanding. Learning drew on interpreters' cultural backgrounds and work experiences, and anticipating included identifying system improvements.

The authors conclude that implementing AI tools and their workflows will require careful consideration of these behaviors to avoid safety gaps.

Sources

  1. Peer-reviewedJournal of General Internal Medicine2026-10-05

The debate