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Open research questions in Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare

144 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,166 Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) shows promise in interpreter training, yet understanding the factors influencing interpreting students’ intentions to use GenAI remains underexplored.

    Exploring Chinese postgraduates’ acceptance of GenAI-assisted interpreting learning: insights from an SEM-fsQCA analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • Yet the outcomes associated with care provided by physicians who speak a patient's primary language remain unknown.

    Patient-Physician Language Concordance and Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Patients With Hypertension · 2025 · DOI

  • These include Limited Knowledge and Awareness of NCDs, Misconceptions about NCDs, Mixed perceptions regarding NCD causes and treatment, Discrepancies in healthcare workers' communication, and the Importance of interpreters in facilitating NCD-related communication.

    Recognition of language barriers in comprehending non-communicable disease management among rural elderly people in the DIMAMO surveillance area: a case of AWI-Gen participants · 2024 · DOI

  • Current regulations and practices are insufficient to address the barriers that LEP individuals face to healthcare access and outcomes.

    The Impact of Limited English Proficiency on Healthcare Access and Outcomes in the U.S.: A Scoping Review · 2024 · DOI

  • There is a lack of recognition and research on the work of non-professional interpreters and translators. There is a need to identify gaps in current research and practice on non-professional interpreting and translation.

    Mapping the field: a systematic review of non-professional interpreting and translation in Italy. · 2026 · DOI

  • The study suggests the need for further research on the effectiveness of training programs for LDL interpreters. It recommends exploring ways to expand language coverage and strengthen mentorship opportunities. The study highlights the importance of integrating interpreter training more fully into the public healthcare system.

    From Training to Practice: Evaluating the Role and Training of Lesser Diffusion Languages Interpreters and Mediators in Healthcare Services · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of specific legislation in Spain that guarantees the right to language assistance. The need for continuous professional development for LDL interpreters. The challenges faced by LDL interpreters, including limited language-specific feedback and inconsistent access to supervisory support.

    From Training to Practice: Evaluating the Role and Training of Lesser Diffusion Languages Interpreters and Mediators in Healthcare Services · 2026 · DOI

  • Algorithmic bias in healthcare. Limited accuracy of AI-based interpreter systems for certain accents and dialects. Variable performance of NMT models across languages and clinical contexts.

    Beyond translation: a patient-centered research agenda for artificial intelligence interpreter services in healthcare · 2026 · DOI

  • To evaluate how accurate interpretation influences trust and engagement in the healthcare system. To prioritize high-quality, inclusive research that assesses the impact of AI-based interpreter systems.

    Beyond translation: a patient-centered research agenda for artificial intelligence interpreter services in healthcare · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of federal laws in Germany that mandate the use of professional interpretation services in healthcare. The use of children as interpreters is not regulated in Germany.

    “Ich verstehe es nicht”: the necessity of integrating professional interpretation into the German healthcare system · 2026 · DOI

  • One challenge is the linguistic heterogeneity of Latino families. Another challenge is the prevalence of negative attitudes toward Latinos and the monolingual language ideology of the United States. A third challenge is the need for practitioners to develop deep functional awareness of language and cultural boundaries.

    What Clinicians Should Listen for in the Speech of Latino Families: Communicative Concordance · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of understanding of the linguistic backgrounds of Latino families. Practitioners may unintentionally raise communicative barriers due to layperson's misconceptions about language. There is a need for a linguist's perspective on language to optimize service to Latino families.

    What Clinicians Should Listen for in the Speech of Latino Families: Communicative Concordance · 2026 · DOI

  • The context of Arabic-English simultaneous conference interpreting remains underrepresented in existing research. The study addresses the gap in research by offering a corpus-based, empirical analysis of simplification and explicitation in this context.

    Simplification and Explicitation in Simultaneous Interpreting: Evidence from a Corpus of Arabic–English Conference Interpreting · 2026 · DOI

  • Several limitations should be acknowledged. First, the sample size and datasets it generated are relatively small, which may limit statistical power and the generalizability of the findings. Second, the data are drawn from a single institutional context (United Nations conference interpreting) and may not reflect patterns in other interpreting settings. Third, the analysis relies on a limited set of quantitative indicators (ASL, LD, WRDC, READ), which capture specific dimensions of simplification and explicitation but do not fully account for discourse-level, pragmatic, or interactional features.

    Simplification and Explicitation in Simultaneous Interpreting: Evidence from a Corpus of Arabic–English Conference Interpreting · 2026 · DOI

  • Introduction Patients hospitalized with heart failure who do not speak English as their primary language face communication barriers, however the impact on documented History of Present Illness (HPI) and Review of Systems (ROS) has not been reported.

    Language-Related Disparities in History Documentation in Patients Admitted for Heart Failure · 2026 · DOI

  • Many patients with limited English proficiency remain unaware of their federal rights to access interpreter services. There is a lack of intentional, structured health navigation curricula designed for linguistically diverse adult learners.

    Interpreter Access and Language Rights Awareness Among Spanish-Speaking Emergency Department Patients: A Point-of-Care Video Intervention Study · 2026 · DOI

  • Communication failures in high-stakes settings, such as obstetric care. Misclassification of Indigenous patients as “Spanish-speaking”. Gaps in clinician training and misaligned incentives.

    Beyond Translation: Indigenous Language, Obstetric Consent, and Patient Safety in Hispanic Health Care · 2026 · DOI

  • The current approach to language access perpetuates inequity for vulnerable populations. The distinction between language access and language comprehension is not recognized. The gap in language access perpetuates disparities in health care.

    Beyond Translation: Indigenous Language, Obstetric Consent, and Patient Safety in Hispanic Health Care · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the understanding of the characteristics of accelerated criminal procedures in France and the potential difficulties in interpreting in Polish.

    Le discours judiciaire oral en comparution immédiate : analyse jurilinguistique et enjeux de l’interprétation du français vers le polonais dans une approche comparative · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited English proficiency presents a significant barrier for many migrant populations. Disparities in interpreter service provision raise concerns about informed consent validity and equitable healthcare access. Systemic barriers in interpreter access may influence the provision of interpreter services.

    Interpreter use during surgical consent for Asian patients with limited English proficiency · 2026 · DOI

  • Significant disparities exist in interpreter service provision during surgical consent, particularly affecting Indian patients and those with suspected LEP. These gaps raise concerns about informed consent validity and equitable healthcare access.

    Interpreter use during surgical consent for Asian patients with limited English proficiency · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should empirically validate the proposed framework. Future research should explore the implementation of equity-oriented governance practices in LLM-enabled health care.

    Ethical Governance of Large Language Models in Health Care: Trust, Responsibility, and Equity in Routine Use · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in considering the ethical implications of LLMs in health care beyond technical performance. The paper highlights the need for a governance-oriented approach to ethical analysis.

    Ethical Governance of Large Language Models in Health Care: Trust, Responsibility, and Equity in Routine Use · 2026 · DOI

  • The current regulation creates a barrier for sworn interpreters who wish to provide cross-border services. Sworn interpreters from other Member States may not be permitted to provide interpreting services in some countries.

    CROSS-BORDER SERVICES OF SWORN INTERPRETERS IN MEMBER STATES UNDER THE SERVICES DIRECTIVE 2006/123/EC · 2026 · DOI

  • linguistic and communicative challenges of modern medical education. educational challenges of integrating philological approaches into clinical practice. the need to improve patient safety and professional mobility.

    THE INTERNATIONAL ERASMUS + PROJECT “PERFECT” IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE, PHILOLOGY, AND THE CURRENT NEEDS OF MEDICAL EDUCATION · 2026 · DOI

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144 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 1,166 Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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