• Spend a few minutes with the interpreter before and after the session to clarify objectives, and review the meeting afterwards;
• Try to use the same interpreter for all the meetings with each individual or family; it is important to consider matching on age, gender and religious issues;
• Using an interpreter may mean that more time should be allocated for the meeting;
• Avoid specialist terminology;
• Use trained and experienced interpreters whenever possible; remember that they are part of the consultation and respect their contribution and different training;
• Always remain aware that you are interviewing someone from a different culture and who therefore may put different interpretations on events or feelings;
• Health beliefs about many aspects of psychiatry may be different across cultures;
• Remember that words may not translate exactly across languages.

Excerpts from Tribe, R., The Mental Health of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 2002, Vol. 8: pp 240-248

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