Arabic Medical Interpreter in Vienna Hospitals
Arabic ↔ German
Arabic ↔ English
Arabic interpreting for informed consent discussions, ward rounds, emergency departments, maternity care, psychotherapy and rehabilitation. On site in Vienna and Graz, by video across Austria, also at short notice.
Your contact
Aliaa Azzouqa, MA
azzouqa@fachdolmetscher.atI am Aliaa Azzouqa, MA. I interpret for the Barmherzige Brüder hospital in Graz among others and know ward life: little time, complex findings and patients who need to understand what is happening to them.
Arabic medical interpreter: understanding what is being decided
A hospital stay is doubly stressful for Arabic speaking patients when diagnosis, treatment options and risks only arrive in fragments. An Arabic medical interpreter makes sure that the consent discussion actually informs, that questions get asked and that consent rests on understanding.
We work for hospitals, outpatient clinics, medical practices, rehabilitation centres and care homes as well as for patients and their families. On site in Vienna and Graz, by video or phone anywhere in Austria, in Arabic and German and Arabic and English.
Where we interpret in hospitals and practices
Every ward has its own language and its own pace. We prepare for the specialty in question and adapt technique and seating to the situation.
Informed consent
Surgery, anaesthesia, chemotherapy, procedures: risks, alternatives and the patient's questions rendered in full so that consent is valid.
Ward rounds
Short, dense exchanges with doctors and nursing staff. Findings, medication, discharge planning and instructions for home.
Emergency department
History taking under time pressure: symptoms, previous conditions, allergies, medication. Often reachable within a short time by phone or video.
Maternity care
Antenatal checks, birth planning, delivery room and postnatal ward. A female interpreter on request, which matters to many women.
Psychotherapy and psychiatry
Therapy sessions, psychiatric intake interviews and assessments. Verbatim, without smoothing, with sensitivity to trauma and stigma.
Rehabilitation and care
Therapy plans, care planning meetings, admission to care homes and family conversations in rehabilitation centres and nursing facilities.
Why a professional interpreter instead of a family member
In everyday life a spouse, a cousin or the children often step in to translate. For a consent discussion that is a risk, medically and legally. Consent is only informed if the patient has genuinely understood diagnosis, procedure, risks and alternatives. Relatives leave out details to spare the patient, do not know the terminology, or translate their own opinion along with the message.
Children as interpreters are particularly problematic: they are confronted with diagnoses and prognoses they should not have to carry, and parents withhold complaints they do not want to voice in front of their children. A neutral, professionally bound interpreter takes that burden off the family and gives the care team confidence that what was said is also what was understood.
- Medical terminology in both languages, from lab values to side effects
- Neutrality: no personal opinion, no omissions, no softening
- Relief for the family, who get to be relatives rather than a mouthpiece
Video interpreting for wards that need an interpreter at short notice
Not every situation allows 48 hours' notice. For emergency departments, unplanned admissions and short ward conversations we offer remote interpreting by video or phone. A tablet, laptop or phone on the ward is enough; we join via Zoom, Teams or whichever system your hospital uses.
Depending on availability, video is often possible within a short time. For plannable appointments such as major consent discussions, birth planning or psychotherapy sessions we recommend on-site presence, because facial expression, pauses and trust come more easily in the room. Details on technology and procedure are on our remote interpreting page.
Confidentiality and data protection
Health data is among the most sensitive information there is. We are bound by professional secrecy, work in line with the GDPR and sign your hospital's confidentiality declaration or an NDA on request. Findings sent in advance are used for preparation only and deleted after the assignment if you wish.
At the start we briefly explain our role to the patient: we render everything that is said, in both directions, and keep nothing to ourselves. That builds trust and addresses the common worry that the interpreter might pass information to authorities or the community.
Translation of medical reports, doctor's letters and discharge summaries
Alongside the conversation, written translation is often needed too: reports from the home country for the care team in Austria, or Austrian doctor's letters and discharge summaries for further treatment abroad, for insurers or for authorities. We translate medical documents between Arabic, German and English with correct specialist terminology.
Where an authority, court or insurer requires a certified translation, it is produced by court sworn and certified translators. More on our medical report translation page.
Medical interpreter in Vienna and Graz
In Vienna we are based on Wagramer Straße in the 22nd district and quickly on site in all Viennese hospitals, clinics and practices. In Graz I have interpreted regularly since my studies at the University of Graz, including at the Barmherzige Brüder hospital. For other federal provinces we combine on-site assignments with video interpreting.
Book an Arabic interpreter for a hospital or medical appointment
For hospitals, practices, patients and families.
Send your request
Date, time, department, type of conversation and whether you prefer on-site or video, via the form or by e-mail.
Receive a quote
An individual quote, usually within a few hours. Consolidated invoicing for institutions on request.
Preparation
Specialty, diagnosis and, where available, findings in advance. We prepare terminology and procedure.
The assignment
On the ward in Vienna or Graz on time, or by video in the appointment. Afterwards everything stays confidential.
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Request a Quote
Describe your project and we’ll get back to you with a quote, usually within a few hours.
Frequently asked questions about hospital interpreting
Answers for wards, practices and families.
For everyday questions on the ward, yes. For consent discussions, diagnoses and treatment decisions we advise against it. Relatives do not know the terminology, leave out details out of consideration and are emotionally involved themselves. Informed consent requires that the patient has understood everything, and only a neutral professional interpreter can ensure that.
Yes. I interpret myself at antenatal checks, birth planning, in the delivery room and on the postnatal ward. Many women want a woman to interpret in these situations, and I take that into account when scheduling.
Strictly confidentially and in line with the GDPR. We are bound by professional secrecy, sign your hospital's confidentiality declaration or an NDA on request and delete findings sent in advance after the assignment. We explain to patients at the start that nothing from the conversation leaves the room.
That depends on the institution. Many hospitals and providers commission and pay for interpreters themselves, particularly for consent discussions. Patients or relatives can also book us privately. Either way you receive an individual quote in advance.
By video or phone often within a short time, depending on availability. For on-site presence we ask for 48 hours' notice where possible. Wards that regularly treat Arabic speaking patients can agree a framework arrangement with short response times with us.
Yes, therapy sessions, psychiatric intake interviews and assessments are part of our work. We interpret verbatim and without smoothing so that the therapist can work with the actual wording, and we are attentive to trauma and to culturally shaped reticence around mental health.
Yes. We translate reports, doctor's letters, discharge summaries and vaccination records between Arabic, German and English. Where a certified translation is required, for insurers or authorities for instance, it is produced by court sworn and certified translators.
More questions? Write to us.
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