Regulation, modification, and evolution of remote sign language interpreting in Sweden – a service in progress

Abstract Background The sign language interpreting service has undergone a tremendous change due to COVID-19 and remote interpreting has become a more frequent alternative to the face-to-face format. The aim of the study is to investigate how the interpreters perceive the organisation of remote inte...

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Main Authors: Camilla Warnicke, Marie Matérne
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11907-y
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author Camilla Warnicke
Marie Matérne
author_facet Camilla Warnicke
Marie Matérne
author_sort Camilla Warnicke
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The sign language interpreting service has undergone a tremendous change due to COVID-19 and remote interpreting has become a more frequent alternative to the face-to-face format. The aim of the study is to investigate how the interpreters perceive the organisation of remote interpreting in Sweden and how it has evolved since the COVID-19 pandemic. Method Interviews with 26 experienced remote interpreters, representing 19 of Sweden’s 21 counties, were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results Three themes were revealed in the analysis. The first theme was regulation. It was stated that directives and regulatory decisions concerning provision of remote interpreting services were varied and unclear. Several different platforms were used when interpreting remotely. Some of the services had conducted risk analyses, whereas others had not. The second theme was modification, including adjusting interactions to suit the preferences and capabilities of the users (both signing and speaking parties), as well as adjustments to work environments and workplaces. The third theme, evolution of remote interpreting, showed that support and training were rare and varied. Although the processes and organisation of remote interpreting are not yet fully established in Sweden, remote interpreting is here to stay. Conclusions In Sweden, remote interpreting is a service that varies according to regulations and the type of assignments. The service would benefit from being more uniform and streamlined across Sweden, although consideration must be given to those involved with the service.
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spelling doaj-art-59f7e289adb541ae973e6b8eb17de6582024-11-24T12:16:40ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-11-0124111110.1186/s12913-024-11907-yRegulation, modification, and evolution of remote sign language interpreting in Sweden – a service in progressCamilla Warnicke0Marie Matérne1University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University Hospital, Region Örebro CountyUniversity Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University Hospital, Region Örebro CountyAbstract Background The sign language interpreting service has undergone a tremendous change due to COVID-19 and remote interpreting has become a more frequent alternative to the face-to-face format. The aim of the study is to investigate how the interpreters perceive the organisation of remote interpreting in Sweden and how it has evolved since the COVID-19 pandemic. Method Interviews with 26 experienced remote interpreters, representing 19 of Sweden’s 21 counties, were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results Three themes were revealed in the analysis. The first theme was regulation. It was stated that directives and regulatory decisions concerning provision of remote interpreting services were varied and unclear. Several different platforms were used when interpreting remotely. Some of the services had conducted risk analyses, whereas others had not. The second theme was modification, including adjusting interactions to suit the preferences and capabilities of the users (both signing and speaking parties), as well as adjustments to work environments and workplaces. The third theme, evolution of remote interpreting, showed that support and training were rare and varied. Although the processes and organisation of remote interpreting are not yet fully established in Sweden, remote interpreting is here to stay. Conclusions In Sweden, remote interpreting is a service that varies according to regulations and the type of assignments. The service would benefit from being more uniform and streamlined across Sweden, although consideration must be given to those involved with the service.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11907-yCOVID-19InteractionInterpretingInterpreting agencyInterviewOrganisation
spellingShingle Camilla Warnicke
Marie Matérne
Regulation, modification, and evolution of remote sign language interpreting in Sweden – a service in progress
BMC Health Services Research
COVID-19
Interaction
Interpreting
Interpreting agency
Interview
Organisation
title Regulation, modification, and evolution of remote sign language interpreting in Sweden – a service in progress
title_full Regulation, modification, and evolution of remote sign language interpreting in Sweden – a service in progress
title_fullStr Regulation, modification, and evolution of remote sign language interpreting in Sweden – a service in progress
title_full_unstemmed Regulation, modification, and evolution of remote sign language interpreting in Sweden – a service in progress
title_short Regulation, modification, and evolution of remote sign language interpreting in Sweden – a service in progress
title_sort regulation modification and evolution of remote sign language interpreting in sweden a service in progress
topic COVID-19
Interaction
Interpreting
Interpreting agency
Interview
Organisation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11907-y
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AT mariematerne regulationmodificationandevolutionofremotesignlanguageinterpretinginswedenaserviceinprogress