The present paper surveys the development and the current position of community interpreting (CI) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), by providing an insight into the emergence of this “out of necessity” concept. The paper is a reflection of the origins and major features of the profession, from the perspective of active participants in this process. Since the research in this field practically does not exist in BiH, the paper attempts to highlight the fundamentals of the profession, fields of practice, professional organizations and training opportunities. The paper portrays the historical background of CI in the context of BiH, trying to capture the interpreting activities and the accompanying practicalities both in the conflict (1992-1995) and post-conflict periods. CI in BiH is mainly performed my semi- and non-professionals, due to the fact that education and training institutions for community interpreters are traditionally non-existent in this country. The paper brings a historical paradigm into the emergence of the interpreting profession and its inherently embedded international character in BiH. The study of CI may not have such a long tradition as other disciplines, but has immensely gained in popularity in recent decades, particularly in the context of ever-growing interest by scholars. The paper follows these recent global trends aiming at contributing to a more comprehensive research in the field in the context of BiH, highlighting the importance of CI in the evolving society challenged by the newly-emerging social phenomena.

Purpose: Educational interventions have already been shown to positively affect awareness of clinical trials (CTs) among medical students. We aimed to explore basic knowledge and attitudes about CTs among medical students in terms of educational interventions that should be reflected in their further involvement in performing CTs and their role in raising awareness about CTs. Methods: This cross-sectional, self-report anonymous online survey involved undergraduate medical students of the Medical Faculty University of Sarajevo enrolled in classes held within the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the academic year 2015– 2016. To include all accessible subjects for better representation of the whole population, consecutive sampling was applied. Results: Among 142 students who completed questionnaire, 50% of them expressed partial or full agreement with the questionnaire statement that they were satisfied with the available information on CTs. Only 38% said they would participate in a CT, 21% would not, while 41% were not sure. Positive correlations were detected for composite subscale scores of agreement with questionnaire statements conveying the student’s knowledge about ethical and legal aspects of CTs and their perception about reliability/integrity and impact of CTs on medical practice. Conclusion: Students have knowledge of the basic design and ethical aspects of CTs. Positive attitudes toward the impact of CTs on medical practice were shown in students of higher years of study, where educational intervention of additional knowledge of CTs was inserted and those students expressed better knowledge of CTs. However, no significant impact was detected between knowledge and willingness to participate in CTs, irrespective of years of study, reflecting the third of students that would participate in CTs. Changes in medical curricula led to the change in students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding CTs as well as their involvement in CTs.