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Self-Care (2026)
Self Care
Most people who pursue the profession of Certified Healthcare Interpreter do so because they have a passion for helping others. In doing so, however, they sometimes neglect their needs.
Interpreting is stressful and working in the healthcare setting brings conflicts and difficulties that can lead to burnout. It requires a great deal of mental stamina, and one must be in good physical and mental health in order to provide the maximum level of service requires.
Examples of Stress Factors
Dealing with:
- Patients who don’t listen;
- Relatives and friends who want to interpret;
- Aggressive or emotionally distressed Patients;
- Re-experiencing previous personal trauma while hearing a Patient tell their distress;
- Rude Providers or Providers who do not like working with Interpreters;
- Providers who requests tasks that go beyond the scope of the Interpreter’s job;
- Not having time or resources to help Patients;
- Patients who are lying and concealing information from the Provider;
- Irrational expectations or roles;
- Patients who refuse to work with Interpreters due to gender, race, culture, etc.;
Providers who don’t listen or do not want to follow proper protocol; - Inappropriate racial or cultural stereotypes from the Provider;
- Providers who are not trained to work with Interpreters;
- Interpreting bad news to a Patient;
- Last-minute requests to interpret for more Patients; and,
- Having to rush between sessions when appointments run late.
Vicarious Trauma
“Vicarious trauma has been identified as something that affects the performance and wellbeing of Interpreters by their experiencing or internalizing someone else’s trauma. Research has confirmed that Interpreters are vulnerable to vicarious trauma, burnouts, compassion fatigue, or secondary stress as a result of repeatedly interpreting various traumatic information and experiences. Not only do Interpreters witness the trauma, but channeling the trauma can also affect their perceptions of the world around them and result in anxiety, depression, and other serious mental health issues.” (Vicarious Trauma and Professional Interpreters, 2018)
Self-Care Management
A study conducted in Australia “indicates that about four in five Interpreters report experiencing distress following exposure to traumatic client material. Although the majority of affected individuals report only feeling disturbed by the content of their assignments for a short period, such disturbance may impact on the performance of Interpreters for assignments completed during the affected period”. (Lai, 2015).
The potential for vicarious trauma among Interpreters should not be overlooked. Recognizing one’s personal and professional stressors is the first step in proper self-care. The following are self-care strategies that can be taken within and outside of the service of interpretation.
During the Service
- Minimize tasks by being prepared before the encounter
- Complete the pre-session with the Provider and the Patient
- When feelings arise, acknowledge them and move on
- Remember that the Interpreter is not responsible for the Patient’s emotions
- Stay in the present moment
- Stay calm in all circumstances
- Do not agree to assignments that trigger unpleasant personal experiences
- Stay hydrated and eat healthy snacks every 3-4 hours
After the Encounter
- Talk to a trusted source
- Consult a counselor
- Join an organization of Interpreters
- Express gratitude
- Meditate
- Smile
- Write a positive note thanking someone
- Listen to music
- Take a walk
- Take minibreaks
- Breath (focus on your breathing for a few minutes)
- Contract, release, and stretch muscles
- Do fun activities
⚠️ Important Resources:
| Name of Resource | Website |
|---|---|
| Professional Quality of Life Scale (PROQOL): Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue (Stamm, 2009-2012) | https://www.proqol.org/uploads/ProQOL_5_English_Self-Score_3-2012.pdf |
| Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (Bride, 2004) | https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2416/sharon_foley_ac15_militarycultureho2.pdf |
Universal Precautions
OSHA defines blood-borne pathogens (BBP) as pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood that can lead to diseases. (OSHA-Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2011).
This Standard covers many disease-causing pathogenic microorganisms; however, the most common and those of primary concern are:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Hepatitis C (HCV)
Discussion question: Why is it important that medical interpreters pay particular care to follow universal precautions and practice self-care?
They are contagious through blood, maternal milk, semen, and vaginal secretion.
BBPs can only be transmitted by physically making contact with an infected person’s blood or bodily fluid containing blood. Even then, healthy skin is an excellent barrier to BBPs. The contaminated blood or bodily fluid can enter the body through mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth, and nose. If the skin is not intact at the point of contact with the contaminated blood or bodily fluid, the BBP could potentially be transmitted. Examples of non-intact skin include dermatitis, hangnails, cuts, abrasions, and acne.
A contaminated sharp, such as a needle or broken glass, could potentially transmit BBPs because of the penetration of the skin.
OSHA defines universal precautions as “an approach to infection control.” According to the concept of universal precautions, HIV, HBV, and other BBPs are contracted through all human blood and certain human body fluids.
The appropriate precautionary methods will enable a worker to avoid contact with infectious materials. By avoiding contact, there is no exposure; thus, we can avoid contracting a blood-borne disease.
Universal precautions protect individuals who are directly involved with the cleanup process and who will possibly be in direct contact with the spill of bodily fluids. Always wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling any bodily fluid. Universal precautions require adequate cleanup and decontamination of the individual, equipment, and tools. Always wash hands after handling any bodily fluid, even when wearing gloves.
⚠️ Important Resources:
| Name of Resource | Website |
|---|---|
| OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard FactSheet | https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_BloodborneFacts/bbfact01.pdf |
| How To File a Safety and Health Complaint with OSHA (U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration) | https://www.osha.gov/workers/file_complaint.html |