Course Description & Objectives

Is “tandem” just another word for “teaming,” or are we missing a vital distinction in how we serve our Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing patients and companions? We’re moving past the textbook definitions to discuss why Tandem Interpreting—the specific, symbiotic partnership between a Deaf and a hearing interpreter—is a distinct framework from standard team interpreting. We’ll explore real-world scenarios, from the high stakes of a labor and delivery room to the nuances of medical records and staff turnover. If you’ve ever seen a “team” struggle with bias or communication breakdowns, this session will help you understand who truly benefits from a tandem approach and how to frame it for clinicians and administrators, as well as interpreting agencies.

Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Articulate the fundamental differences between “Team Interpreting” and “Tandem Interpreting.”
• Recognize a minimum of three specific medical scenarios where a tandem approach is necessary for equitable access.
• Identify a minimum of three ways that the tandem model leads to better clinical records and patient outcomes.