Izquierdo Martínez Laura Catalina, Groce Nora Ellen, Hurst Samia, Martínez-R Angela, Cuculick Jessica, Rivas Velarde Minerva C
Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia.
BMJ Open. 2025 Feb 11;15(2):e086490. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086490.
To identified the core components of professional ethics for medical sign language interpreters and develop a framework based on empirical data from Colombian sign language (CSL) interpreters.
Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used in this qualitative study, which involved conducting semistructured interviews to CSL interpreters. Inductive data analysis was performed using the constant comparative method, where data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously. Transcriptional coding was performed line by line, and the data results were organised into themes and subthemes.
The research was conducted in Colombia.
A total of 17 CSL interpreters were included.
We identified key themes (confidentiality, privacy, professionalism, business practices and professional development). Our data analyses show the need for codes of conduct and establishment of professional codes of ethics for sign language interpreters working in a health context. The proposed framework addresses the challenges within the professional ethics of sign language interpreters in healthcare.
These findings offer unique insights into the ethical experiences of CSL interpreters. This framework can be a valuable reference for interpreters facing ethical dilemmas. The clarity of ethical considerations is crucial for overcoming barriers to healthcare for the D/deaf population. The identified ethical issues underscore the necessity of education, training and the establishment of codes of ethics and legislation for sign language interpreters. These findings can serve as a foundational reference for crafting ethical guidelines for sign language interpreters in other low- and middle-income countries.
确定医学手语译员职业道德的核心组成部分，并根据来自哥伦比亚手语（CSL）译员的实证数据制定一个框架。
本定性研究采用了目的抽样和滚雪球抽样方法，对CSL译员进行了半结构化访谈。使用持续比较法进行归纳数据分析，数据收集和分析同时进行。逐行进行转录编码，并将数据结果整理成主题和子主题。
该研究在哥伦比亚进行。
共纳入17名CSL译员。
我们确定了关键主题（保密性、隐私、专业性、商业行为和专业发展）。我们的数据分析表明，需要为在健康领域工作的手语译员制定行为准则并建立职业道德规范。所提出的框架解决了医疗保健领域手语译员职业道德方面的挑战。
这些发现为CSL译员的道德经历提供了独特的见解。这个框架对于面临道德困境的译员来说可能是一个有价值的参考。道德考量的清晰性对于克服聋人群体获得医疗保健的障碍至关重要。所确定的道德问题强调了对手语译员进行教育、培训以及制定道德规范和立法的必要性。这些发现可以作为为其他低收入和中等收入国家的手语译员制定道德准则的基础参考。
