Abstract:

Background:
In Japan, the increasing number of foreign residents has highlighted an urgent need for interpreters in healthcare settings. Language barriers can significantly affect patient safety, informed consent, and the quality of care. Therefore, healthcare interpreters require not only linguistic proficiency but also advanced communication skills that enable them to accurately convey medical information, understand the cultural context of hospitals, and facilitate mutual understanding between healthcare professionals and patients. Communication competence is a critical factor for ensuring that interpreters are trusted and repeatedly requested in clinical settings.

Objectives:
To develop an online communication training program for healthcare interpreters.

Methods:
On the basis of the results of a preliminary survey that identified the communication skills required for healthcare interpreters in Japan, we developed training materials designed to enhance these competencies.

Results:
In 2025, we developed a Moodle-based communication training program for healthcare interpreters. The 6-hour program targets both learners enrolled in a foundational Healthcare interpreting course and experienced interpreters seeking additional professional development. The curriculum focuses on essential communication competencies required in medical contexts, including interpreting during informed consent, understanding the organizational culture of hospitals, and responding effectively to challenging communication scenarios.
Difficult cases experienced by healthcare interpreters were collected and categorized to create problem-based learning (PBL) materials. The program combines e-learning with active learning approaches such as discussions, presentations, and role-playing exercises designed to follow the flow of actual medical consultations. All learning materials are provided online.
The learning objectives are for participants to:
(1) explain the communication competencies required of healthcare interpreters;
(2) understand methods to develop these competencies; and
(3) demonstrate these competencies in practice.

Discussion:
This program represents a structured and interactive online training model designed to strengthen communication competence among healthcare interpreters in Japan. The curriculum may contribute to the development of more effective training programs that enhance collaboration between healthcare professionals and interpreters and improve the quality of care for linguistically diverse patients.

Keywords:

Medical Interpreters, Healthcare Interpreters, Communication Skills, e-learning and Active Learning, Moodle.