A Montreal clinic is breaking down language barriers with a new translation service, making healthcare more accessible for newcomers
This clinic serves a diverse community, and many patients are new to Canada. For the last two years, they’ve been using an online translation service to bridge the language gap. Dr. Cholette-Tétrault says she relies on it for about 25% of her patients, especially those who just arrived and struggle with English or French.
“It really changes how I practice,” she explains. Many patients can’t communicate well, and sometimes they need help with things beyond medical care, like finding housing. When asked if she likes the service, the patient smiled and nodded.
The translation service, provided by Voyce, connects patients with interpreters in 240 languages. It’s super easy to use—just open the app, pick a language, and a translator appears in seconds. Aurelia Di Fabrizio, who manages the program, says it helps healthcare workers communicate better and saves money too.
In Quebec, where language issues are a hot topic, the priority is clear: patients must be able to talk to their doctors. Di Fabrizio emphasizes that not being able to communicate can lead to serious quality of care problems. Research shows that when patients speak their first language, their health outcomes improve significantly.
A recent survey found that many newcomers in Quebec are unhappy with the healthcare system. Among those surveyed, 62% of new immigrants expressed dissatisfaction, compared to 44% across Canada.
The translation service started in Parc-Extension and is now available in other clinics and hospitals. Before this, they relied on in-person translators, which was costly and complicated. Dr. Perle Feldman, a physician at the clinic, recalls how awkward it was to have family members as interpreters during sensitive medical discussions.
She believes online translation is a game-changer and hopes it continues to grow. “We serve a vulnerable population,” she says. “Good medicine relies on good communication. I’m here to talk to my patients, not just treat them.”
