Medical interpreters have feelings too.

All 22 members of the interpreter service of the Geneva Red Cross were invited to answer an anonymous questionnaire with questions about their work with refugees and asylum seekers. Five (28%) reported having been exposed to a major traumatic event such as war, torture, detention, being beaten. Seven interpreters reported that more than 50% of their sessions involved patients exposed to violence. Five interpreters (28%) frequently experienced difficult feelings during sessions. Twelve (66%) had frequently painful memories. The proportion of interpreters having painful feelings and symptoms increases with the number of sessions with victims of violence. Interpreters also expressed a strong need to talk and share feelings after the session with the medical doctor (83%) or with relatives or spouse (44%). Fifteen (83%) reported seeing patients again outside the consultation. Doctors should be aware of these pressures and give time to interpreters to share their feelings and emotions, to help them cope with their reactions.