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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.
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.