For Patients

Provided At No Cost To You

If you have limited English proficiency, or if you are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and use American Sign Language or Deaf Interpreter, please ask us to provide an interpreter when you are being seen by providers. Even if you speak English, you may find that, during serious illness, it is easier for you to understand information in your native language. We have interpreters on site Monday through Friday during clinic hours who speak Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Cape Verdean, Portuguese, Vietnamese, and American Sign Language. Services at other times, as well as interpreters for other languages, are arranged as needed, either in person or via telephone.

Using A Professional Interpreter

Sometimes patients depend on family members or friends to help them communicate. While this may be satisfactory for day-to-day needs, please ask your provider for a professional interpreter when you are talking with your health care team about your medical care. Family and friends may have difficulty translating medical terms, and confusion can result.

woman playing the harp

Contact

Interpreter Services
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
East Campus
330 Brookline Avenue
Boston , MA  02215
617.667.4011

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