Interpreter at a clinic abroad: a Georgian medical interpreter for consultations, tests and discharge
A medical interpreter conveys every word of the doctor and the patient accurately, so that you understand the diagnosis, risks and prescriptions in Georgian and your questions reach the doctor unchanged. We arrange such an interpreter at the clinic, by your side, or remotely by video or phone call, at a daily or hourly rate. They do not soften or shorten the doctor's words and do not give medical advice: their job is accurate interpretation.
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On site or by callBy your side in the consulting room, or by video link from Georgia
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Preparation before the visitThe interpreter receives the translated discharge summary and a glossary of terms before the consultation
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Confidentiality in writingA non-disclosure undertaking for every assignment
In short: what a medical interpreter does and does not do
- They interpret everything said in the consulting room or on the ward, in the first person, without shortening it or adding comments of their own.
- They do not give medical advice, do not interfere in the choice of treatment and do not correct what the doctor says, even when the family asks them to.
- Being there in person matters most when signing consent before surgery and on the day of discharge; follow-up visits often work well remotely.
- Before the visit, the interpreter receives the translated discharge summary and a personal glossary, so they do not have to guess words in the consulting room.
- Spoken interpreting does not replace document translation: the discharge summary and prescriptions are translated separately, in writing, for the Georgian doctor.
- The rate is daily or hourly, depending on format and city, and is agreed in writing before you order.
On site or remote: which format works best when?
We choose the format for each situation, not once for the whole course of treatment. Often the most sensible combination is on site on the decisive days and by call the rest of the time.
| Situation | On site | By video call | By phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| First consultation and discussion of the plan | Best: the interpreter sees the doctor's drawings, images and documents | Works well if the doctor shares the screen | Workable, but drawings and images are lost |
| Signing consent before surgery | Recommended: the form is sight-translated point by point | Possible if the clinic agrees and the form is shared in advance | Not recommended for a long form |
| Ward rounds and nurses' instructions | During a long hospital stay, at agreed hours | With a call scheduled during the round | For quick questions, including in the evening |
| Discharge and prescriptions | Recommended: medicines, doses and restrictions are checked together | Possible if the documents are sent in advance | Only for follow-up questions |
| Follow-up visit after returning home | Not needed | The main format | For a short conversation |
Remote interpreting needs the clinic's consent: some departments do not allow a third party on the call or prohibit recording, so we check this before the visit. International departments often have their own interpreters for English, Russian or Arabic, but rarely for Georgian. If the patient speaks Russian fluently, the clinic's interpreter is sometimes enough, but they are a clinic employee, not your representative.
What does a medical interpreter do, and where does their role end?
A good medical interpreter is almost invisible: the doctor and the patient talk to each other, and the interpreter simply changes the language. This comes from a few strict rules that we agree with the interpreter before the visit.
- They convey everything. Every phrase is interpreted, including what the doctor said to a colleague in the patient's presence. If the interpreter did not catch something, they ask the doctor again rather than guess.
- They explain the term, not the decision. When the doctor's word has no exact equivalent in Georgian, the interpreter asks the doctor to explain it to you in plain terms and interprets that explanation.
- They flag misunderstandings. If they see that a question was understood differently or that a cultural difference is confusing the conversation, they say so openly to both sides.
- They do not give medical advice. To the question "What would you do?", the interpreter does not answer themselves: they interpret the question for the doctor.
- They do not soften or correct. A prognosis, a risk or bad news is interpreted in the words the doctor used. If the family wants the patient not to be told something, they must tell the doctor; the interpreter will not secretly change the interpretation.
- They do not negotiate prices. Discussing the clinic's bill, payments and everyday matters is the coordinator's job, not the interpreter's.
If the family needs someone who, besides interpreting, handles the clinic's administration, bills and daily life every day, that is a coordinator's work, which we describe in the VIP patient logistics service. The service on this page is spoken interpreting and nothing more.
How the interpreter prepares for the visit
The quality of medical interpreting is mostly decided before entering the consulting room. Four steps we follow for every assignment.
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Documents for the interpreter
With your consent, the interpreter receives the translation of the discharge summary, test reports and the clinic's plan before the visit. This way they already know the diagnosis, past operations and current treatment and do not hear a term for the first time in the consulting room.
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Personal glossary
Together we draw up a short bilingual list: the diagnosis, the international names of the medicines taken, allergies, chronic conditions and the words the patient uses to describe their symptoms. Both the interpreter and you need this list.
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Questions in order of importance
Consultation time is limited, and when people are anxious they forget their questions. We write them down in advance: what alternatives exist, what happens without treatment, when you can go home, what restrictions will remain. The interpreter makes sure every question is asked.
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Ground rules at the start of the conversation
The interpreter introduces themselves to the doctor, says they will interpret everything and asks the doctor to speak in short phrases. The patient looks at the doctor and addresses them directly, not the interpreter. This small detail makes the conversation natural and reduces mistakes.
Informed consent: how is the form you sign interpreted?
Consent to surgery, anaesthesia, a blood transfusion or participation in a clinical trial is a signed document: by signing it you confirm that you have understood the risks and alternatives. That is why we handle it under separate rules.
- We ask the clinic for the form a few days in advance. If it is long, we prepare a written translation beforehand so that you can read it calmly at home.
- At signing, the interpreter sight-translates the form aloud, point by point, and puts your questions to the doctor. The list of risks is not shortened.
- You do not sign while anything remains unclear. This is your right, and clinics treat requests for further explanation as normal.
- Some clinics ask the interpreter to sign the form to confirm that they interpreted it. This signature confirms the fact of interpretation, not your consent.
- We always ask for a copy of the signed form and keep it in the patient's file.
Rates, languages and the link to written translation
How it is priced: daily or hourly rate
When the interpreter spends the whole day at the clinic, at tests, waiting and discussing results, the work is charged at a daily rate. An individual consultation or remote call is charged hourly, with a minimum duration. The interpreter's travel and accommodation, if they travel from Georgia, appear as a separate line, as do overtime hours. If a Georgian-speaking interpreter lives in the destination city, there is no travel cost at all. We give you the exact figure for the specific city and schedule before you order.
Which languages
The most requested pairs are Georgian with Turkish, German, English and Russian, because these are the languages of the clinics where most patients from Georgia go. In Israeli hospitals some of the staff speak Russian, so a Georgian-Russian interpreter can also work there. For other languages we check availability before you order and, if we cannot find a suitable specialist, we tell you so directly.
Spoken and written translation: where the line is
At discharge the interpreter explains the discharge summary and prescriptions to you, but spoken interpreting does not count as a document. A Georgian doctor, pharmacy, insurer or state programme needs a written translation, often notarised, which is done by our medical document translation service. We start the discharge summary translation on the day the clinic issues it, and before that the interpreter on site checks that the document lists every prescription and follow-up date. You will find the whole process, from choosing a clinic to returning home, on the treatment abroad page.
Frequently asked questions about an interpreter at the clinic
Why not rely on the clinic's interpreter or a relative who speaks Russian?
You can, but you should be aware of three risks. The clinic's interpreter is a clinic employee, rarely speaks Georgian and often serves several patients at once. A relative who speaks the language well often lacks medical terminology, and someone emotionally involved may unconsciously soften bad news or leave something out. For a routine visit this is often enough. But for discussing the diagnosis, consent before surgery and discharge, we recommend an independent medical interpreter who is focused only on your conversation.
How much does an interpreter at a clinic abroad cost?
There is no fixed price, because it depends on four things: the language, the city, the format and the duration. A full day on site is charged at a daily rate; individual consultations and video calls are charged hourly, with a minimum duration. If the interpreter travels from Georgia, their ticket and accommodation are a separate line, whereas with a local Georgian-speaking interpreter there is no such cost. We give you the exact total in writing, based on your schedule, before you confirm anything. When comparing offers, always ask how many hours the daily rate covers.
Can the interpreter enter intensive care after surgery?
That depends on the clinic's rules, not on the interpreter. Visits to intensive care are restricted everywhere, often to a short time and only one or two people. Some clinics let the interpreter in with a family member, others only for a conversation with the doctor outside the door. So before surgery we agree when and how the family will receive information: face to face with the doctor through the interpreter, by phone call or through a nurse. If going in person is not possible, we arrange phone interpreting at an agreed time. We explain these rules to the family the day before surgery so that nothing comes as a surprise.
Does interpreting by video call work for a consultation with a doctor?
In many cases yes, especially for a follow-up visit, a discussion of test results or clarifying the plan. It needs three things: the clinic's consent to a third party on the call, a stable internet connection and documents the interpreter has seen in advance. A video call is better than a phone call, because the interpreter can see the doctor's drawings and the patient's reactions. For signing consent before surgery and for discharge, we still recommend being there in person, because many documents are sight-translated from the page. For the call, headphones and a quiet room noticeably improve the quality of interpreting.
What happens if the interpreter interprets something incorrectly?
A professional interpreter corrects a mistake openly as soon as they notice it and tells both sides what has changed. To reduce this risk we do three things: the interpreter studies the medical history before the visit, we ask the doctor to repeat critical information such as a dose, a date or a restriction, and we ask the doctor for important instructions in writing. If the patient suspects they have misunderstood something, we ask the doctor again. When in doubt, a written document always takes precedence over spoken interpreting. This rule protects both the patient and the treating doctor.
Can one interpreter stay with me for the whole course of treatment?
We always try for this, because the same person already knows the patient's history, the doctors and the family's questions and does not start from scratch at every visit. During long treatment, for example several cycles of chemotherapy, two interpreters sometimes take turns. In that case, with your consent, the first interpreter hands the second a short written summary: diagnosis, current treatment, open questions. We let you know about a change in advance, not on the day of the visit. You can also ask for a different interpreter if communication does not work out, without having to give a reason.
Related to an interpreter at the clinic
- Flights and travel for patients Flights on the clinic's dates, the airline's medical form and assistance at airports.
- Cancer treatment abroad Tumour boards, chemotherapy cycles and many consultations, where accurate interpreting matters most.
- Medical visa documents When the country requires a visa or treatment lasts longer than 90 days.
Every word the doctor says, in Georgian and accurately
Tell us where and when your visit is and what language the clinic works in. We will tell you who can interpret, in which format and what it will cost.