Intercultural Mediation and its Conflicting Allegiances in Slovenia

Abstract

The article examines intercultural mediation which is a relatively new profession aimed at assuring equity in access to various institutions, including those in the field of healthcare. Based on qualitative research with intercultural mediators in Slovenia, the article analyses the power relations that arise in the triadic interactions in healthcare worker–patient–intercultural mediator relationships. We explore the role of intercultural mediators in relation to the two sides that they are supposed to connect: the side of the patients and the side of healthcare workers. Paying attention to power relations, we show how intercultural mediators’ shifting allegiances between patient and healthcare workers considerably shape their practice.