3.2: Advocacy
- Page ID
- 142658
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*What does the COE say about Advocacy ?
Defining Advocacy
Advocacy in healthcare refers to actions taken by healthcare professionals to support, protect, and empower patients in navigating the healthcare system. This may include ensuring that patients understand their rights, providing information on available resources, or addressing inequities and barriers that could hinder a patient’s ability to receive appropriate care. Advocacy is especially significant in cases where patients face language, cultural, or socioeconomic barriers, as it helps to create an equitable environment within healthcare settings.
Role of Healthcare Interpreters as Advocates
Healthcare interpreters play a unique role in patient advocacy by facilitating communication between patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and healthcare providers. While interpreters’ primary responsibility is to ensure accurate and clear communication, they may sometimes encounter situations where they need to advocate for the patient to overcome potential barriers or misunderstandings.
The National Code of Ethics for Healthcare Interpreters and the CHIA (California Healthcare Interpreting Association) Code of Ethics outline that interpreters should strive for accuracy, impartiality, and role boundaries. Advocacy should be a limited action, only taken when it is necessary to address barriers that could compromise a patient's care or rights.
Limitations of Advocacy for Healthcare Interpreters
Interpreters are cautioned against stepping outside their scope of practice. Acting outside of the interpreter role can create potential risks, including:
- Role Confusion- When interpreters step into roles outside of communication facilitation, they may blur the boundaries between themselves and other healthcare professionals, leading to confusion and potentially diminishing their credibility.
- Increased Liability - Taking on responsibilities beyond interpreting could expose interpreters to legal liabilities.
Loss of Trust and Objectivity - An interpreter's impartiality may be compromised if they begin to advocate in ways that seem biased towards either a patient or provider.
The National Code of Ethics advises interpreters to avoid acting on behalf of the patient unless an immediate and critical need is evident. Similarly, the CHIA Code emphasizes that interpreters should prioritize respecting the professional boundaries of their role and should avoid advocacy unless a serious barrier to communication or a patient’s right is present.
Deciding When to Advocate
When deciding whether to advocate, interpreters should consider:
Closing note
The eleven standards presented here provide a framework for ethical decision-making in healthcare interpreting. They reinforce the interpreter’s dual commitment to accuracy and humanity — ensuring that every patient can communicate fully, safely, and with dignity.
Licensing note: NCIHC National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care (2005) is public domain and may be reproduced “as is” or adapted with attribution.