In-Person Interpreters
Regardless of a patient’s preferred language, the accurate understanding of his or her own health care information is critical to the patient’s well-being and as well as successful treatment to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.
With this in mind, the Language Services Department is here to help: It upholds the mission, vision and values of UT Southwestern Medical Center through its commitment to quality and patient centered care – by ensuring that regardless of their ability to speak, read or write English – they have meaningful access to health care interpreters or translators. Language Services resources are available to patients and their families with limited English proficiency or hearing impairments 24/7, free of charge.
What to Expect
When patients register or are admitted to UTSW, they will be asked to identify a preferred language to communicate effectively with their health care team. We make every effort to provide our patients with timely access to the language services support they need to accurately understand and make informed decisions about their health care.
UT Southwestern Medical Center interpreters and translators are highly trained professionals that help patients and their health care team communicate about:
- Informed consent
- Medical history
- Symptom descriptions
- Nutrition plans and information
- Medical diagnoses or conditions
- Surgical procedures
- Diabetes education
- And much more