Interpreter-Mediated Communication in Healthcare: Investigating the Role of Mediators in Clinical Interactions with Sinophone Patients in Italy

The increasing linguistic and cultural diversity in Italy’s healthcare system underscores the need for effective language mediation, particularly with Chinese patients, as the Chinese community represents one of the largest non-EU populations in Italy. Linguistic and cultural barriers can hinder access to quality care, exacerbating communicative vulnerabilities that affect patients, healthcare practitioners, and mediators, thereby complicating diagnostic and treatment processes (Angelelli, 2004; Baraldi & Gavioli, 2019). This study examines the role of linguistic and cultural mediation in triadic medical interactions, focusing on the perspectives of healthcare practitioners, professional interpreters, and patients. Adopting an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates sociolinguistics, health communication, and qualitative fieldwork, the study employs surveys and semi-structured interviews (Nikitina & Montenovo, 2023; Benucci & Grosso, 2021) to investigate communicative and ethical challenges in interpreter-mediated consultations. It explores how mediators navigate meaning negotiation, manage miscommunication, and contribute to clinical decision-making (Hsieh, 2016), with particular attention to issues of communicative vulnerability and patient comprehension (Sarangi, 2024). By situating these findings within broader discussions on professionalization, the study contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance the recognition and standardization of the mediator’s role within Italy’s healthcare system. It advocates for structured training programs and policy frameworks aimed at improving healthcare communication with Sinophone patients and promoting equitable, patient-centered care. The research lends itself to comparative analysis with other migration contexts, emphasizing the need for standardized mediation models that integrate linguistic precision, intercultural awareness, and ethical considerations. These findings seek to inform policy recommendations and contribute to the development of structured approaches that enhance accessibility and quality of care for Sinophone communities in Italy.