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Exploring the Needs of Arabic Interpreters in Promoting Medical Tourism Among Visitors from Arab-Speaking Nations
Date Issued
2023-09
Author(s)
Aisyah Jahidah Binti Samsudin
Abstract
Medical tourism is currently a prominent sector as a country's economy grows. When
seeking medical treatment in Malaysia, Arabic-speaking visitors may require the
services of an interpreter. However, Arabic interpreters for medical tourism in Malaysia
are only available in a few private facilities. Consequently, the demand for an Arabic
interpreter to provide high-quality services is sometimes overlooked. Thus, the goals of
this research are to investigate the current challenges faced by medical interpreters in
face-to-face interpretation, to investigate the current issues of Arabic interpreters in
promoting medical tourism in Malaysia, and to provide recommendations on how to
improve Arabic interpreters in Malaysia. This study is qualitative based research as it
used systematic literature review and online semi-structured interviews for data
collection. Five Arabic interpreters from private hospitals in Klang Valley were
interviewed. The findings of the study showed that first, there are four challenges faced
by medical interpreters in face-to-face interpretation which are interdisciplinary
knowledges, engagement with medical staffs, two-way communication skills and
interaction with patients. Second, there are five current issues and needs of Arabic
interpreters in promoting medical tourism in Malaysia which are hard skills and other
requirements, understanding daily routine, good rapport with patients, soft skills and
other related skills and promotion for other parties. Third, there are five
recommendations for the improvement of Arabic interpreters in Malaysia which are
mastering hard skills, Arabic interpreter for other sectors, interpreter career
improvement, mastering soft skills, language and communication services for Malaysia
Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC). This study helped to improve the medical
interpreters’ performance in hospitals to boost the vibrancy of Malaysian medical
tourism. This study also proposed that specific training and language courses in medical
interpretation to train medical interpreters should be developed before they work in the
field.
seeking medical treatment in Malaysia, Arabic-speaking visitors may require the
services of an interpreter. However, Arabic interpreters for medical tourism in Malaysia
are only available in a few private facilities. Consequently, the demand for an Arabic
interpreter to provide high-quality services is sometimes overlooked. Thus, the goals of
this research are to investigate the current challenges faced by medical interpreters in
face-to-face interpretation, to investigate the current issues of Arabic interpreters in
promoting medical tourism in Malaysia, and to provide recommendations on how to
improve Arabic interpreters in Malaysia. This study is qualitative based research as it
used systematic literature review and online semi-structured interviews for data
collection. Five Arabic interpreters from private hospitals in Klang Valley were
interviewed. The findings of the study showed that first, there are four challenges faced
by medical interpreters in face-to-face interpretation which are interdisciplinary
knowledges, engagement with medical staffs, two-way communication skills and
interaction with patients. Second, there are five current issues and needs of Arabic
interpreters in promoting medical tourism in Malaysia which are hard skills and other
requirements, understanding daily routine, good rapport with patients, soft skills and
other related skills and promotion for other parties. Third, there are five
recommendations for the improvement of Arabic interpreters in Malaysia which are
mastering hard skills, Arabic interpreter for other sectors, interpreter career
improvement, mastering soft skills, language and communication services for Malaysia
Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC). This study helped to improve the medical
interpreters’ performance in hospitals to boost the vibrancy of Malaysian medical
tourism. This study also proposed that specific training and language courses in medical
interpretation to train medical interpreters should be developed before they work in the
field.