An inductive analysis of interpreter mediated communication events between patients who are d/Deaf and psychiatrists who are hearing.

For persons who are d/Deaf, the influx of communication technologies into mainstream use has improved social, communicative and information accessibility in many ways.

It is also the case that within the context of mental health services the use of a qualified interpreter of American Sign Language (ASL) is the most appropriate approach for mental health providers who have hearing and are not fluent in ASL when working with individuals who are d/Deaf, who have limited English abilities and who prefer the use of ASL.

Unfortunately, in many situations an in-person interpreter of ASL is not always readily available.

Video remote interpreting (VRI) is one service utilizing communication technology to provide greater access to American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services in such cases; yet, no studies have directly sought to understand the implications of VRI in psychiatric interactions.

Data from multiple ongoing psychiatric treatment sessions mediated by either VRI or in-person interpreters with two patients who are d/Deaf and have minimal competency in formal ASL and English provided the basis for an inductive analysis of interactional communication patterns between all event participants.

Initial data analysis, however, required, the researcher to reconsider her underlying assumptions with regard to the nature of therapeutic communication process and the doctor-interpreter-patient relationships, as well as the role, presence and positioning of the interpreter within this communicative context, particularly with patients who have limited ASL or English competency.

This reconceptualization of the problem and data analysis was necessary before the implications of VRI on psychiatric sessions could be addressed.

Findings from this investigation rejected a simple conduit view of the doctor-interpreter-patient relationship in favor of a far more complex dual dyad model that illustrates the interpreter's role as more present and active within the communicative process.