How To Prepare For An Appointment With A Doctor

If English is not your first language and you will need help communicating with the doctor, contact the doctor's office and find out if an interpreter is available. (Many health plans have a directory of doctors who accept their insurance. These directories will also tell you what languages the doctor speaks fluently.)

If the doctor's office does not have someone available who speaks your language, arrange for a friend or family member, or a member of your community, who can translate for you.

• Be sure your interpreter understands your symptoms or condition before he or she conveys your information to the doctor.
• If your language has more than one dialect, and your interpreter does not come from the same country or background as you, use universal terms to describe your symptoms.
• During your session with the doctor, don't be afraid to let your interpreter know if you do not understand something that is said, even if you need to ask that it be repeated several times.

If a family member or friend are not available, there are professional services you can call from the doctor's office. The service will arrange for a translator to be on the phone to translate what is being said as it is happening. Such services should be arranged ahead of time. For instance, at Applied Language Solutions (www.AppliedLanguage.com ), you register ahead of time. After registration, you get contact information and a PIN number. Then you call and arrange the appointment. Cost is per minute.

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