Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): A New Dimension For Turkish Healthcare System

Abstract

Recent technological advancements lead people to find technology-mediated solutions to respond to the increasing needs for public services, including healthcare. Therefore, video remote interpreting emerges as an evolving mode which has gradually gained prominence throughout the world, allowing people with linguistic and cultural differences to make use of such services available from remote locations, which is deemed to fulfil the principle of equity in access to healthcare. To this end, this research seeks to provide an overview regarding the video remote interpreting (VRI) mode and its current practices in the exemplary countries where this system has successfully been integrated through reviewing available regulations and legislative frameworks, as this system is yet to be available in Türkiye. Additionally, this research aims to investigate the expectations of interpreters, physicians, and foreign patients from the potential future implementation of video remote interpreting services in the Turkish healthcare system. To this end, the data for this research was first generated through a document analysis. In this vein, administrative documents such as legislation and other related documents of the countries performing good practices of video remote interpreting services having been provided in their healthcare system have been studied. Secondly, semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with the participation of three interlocutor groups: interpreters, physicians, and foreign patients as potential users so as to investigate their expectations from video remote interpreting services, which may hopefully provide relevant information just in case such services may be planned to be integrated into the Turkish healthcare system in the future. Additionally, the research diaries kept by the researcher also facilitated a deeper insight into the situation. Consequently, this research is expected to contribute to the possible integration of video remote interpreting services within the Turkish healthcare system.