Our Second Annual Membership Meeting was a unique opportunity to stand together for equal access and medical interpreting as shared responsibilities. This meeting brought together diverse stakeholders:
Policymakers and Legislators
Hospital Administrators and Managers
Agency, Independent, and Staff Interpreters
Accrediting Organizations and Regulators
Healthcare Provider
Academic Institutions
Trainers
Associations
Advocates
The 2008 program was designed around five key topics:
Interpreter Training and Education
What are effective methods and formats for training medical interpreters? How long should a course of training run? What essential information is needed to adequately prepare medical interpreters? How should training address ethics and standards?
Quality of Interpreting Service Programs
How can a program be established? What tools does a program need? Once a program is in place, how can it be promoted? How can a program be monitored for effectiveness?
Funding Interpreting Programs
What sources exist for funding? How can they be accessed? What other resources are available? What do model programs do? Can Medicare funding be tapped? How can a multi-tiered pay system work?
Standards for Training
Where are the regional and national plans for standards and how do these impact training? How long should a program last? What qualifications should trainers have? Who should design curricula and what should they include?
Community-Building
Nationally, how can diverse stakeholders stand together, working to improve the field?
