What would you do? Use the SoP

A doctor is discussing another patient’s case in front of you. The patient in your session overhears this discussion. What should you do?

• Ignore the conversation and continue interpreting.

• Inform the patient that the doctor is talking about another patient and don’t interpret that conversation.

• Interpret the conversation to ensure the patient understands everything.

A patient asks you if they should change doctors because they feel uncomfortable with the recommendation. What should you do?

• Recommend another doctor based on your own experience.

• Explain that your role is to interpret, and they should discuss this with their provider.

• Refuse to continue interpreting the session.

While the provider is gone the patient asks you about the side effects of a medication. What should you do?

• Provide your own knowledge about the medication’s side effects.

• Tell the patient you cannot provide medical advice and suggest they ask the doctor directly.

• Repeat the doctor’s instructions exactly as they were given, even if you think they might be unclear.

• Google the side effects and read them from a trusted source

The doctor expresses frustration with the patient’s lack of compliance, and you sense the patient is becoming upset. What should you do?

• Intervene and try to calm the patient down.

• Remain neutral, accurately interpret both the doctor’s frustration and the patient’s concerns.

• Encourage the patient to follow the doctor’s instructions and ignore the frustration.

The doctor uses complex medical terminology that the patient does not understand. What should you do?

• Attempt to simplify the terminology, using your own understanding.

• Ask the doctor to clarify the terms so that you can accurately interpret them.

• Skip the complex terms and just summarize the doctor’s message.

The patient asks you to interpret a non-medical conversation with the doctor, such as small talk. What should you do?

• Interpret the conversation, we don't decide what is relevant and what's not.

• Participate in the small talk to build rapport with the patient.

• • Politely explain that your role is to interpret only relevant medical information.

The patient seems to be in pain but is not expressing it directly. The doctor asks if the patient is in pain. What should you do?

• Assume the patient is in pain and say yes.

• Indicate the patient’s discomfort without the patient directly saying it.

• Simply interpret the question and allow the patient to express their feelings.

The doctor is speaking in a way that could be seen as condescending to the patient. What should you do?

• Remain neutral and interpret as is.

• Rephrase the doctor’s words to make them sound more respectful.

• Inform the doctor that their tone is inappropriate.

You are interpreting for a patient with diabetes who has been prescribed insulin. The doctor explains how to use it, but the patient visibly hesitates and later tells you in their language:

"In my culture, injecting myself is a sign of weakness. I will try natural remedies instead."

The doctor, unaware of this hesitation, assumes the patient understands and agrees to follow the treatment.

What should you do?

• Explain to the patient that refusing insulin is dangerous and they must follow the doctor’s orders.

• Remain neutral and interpret everything exactly as said, without adding cultural context.

• Inform the doctor that the patient might have cultural concerns regarding insulin, allowing the provider to address them.

• Reassure the patient that natural remedies might work and tell the doctor that the patient is fine with the treatment.

Answer explanation

Interpreters must remain neutral but can facilitate cultural awareness to avoid misunderstandings. You should point out potential cultural barriers so the provider can clarify or address them directly.

You are interpreting for a patient who is undergoing chemotherapy. The oncologist explains the potential side effects, including hair loss, nausea, and fatigue. The patient nods, but after the consultation, they tell you privately:

"I’m terrified of losing my hair. In my culture, a person’s appearance is everything, and I won’t be able to face my family like this."

The doctor does not realize the patient’s deep concern and assumes the patient is prepared for the side effects.

• • The interpreter should inform the doctor about the patient’s concern regarding hair loss.

• The interpreter should encourage the patient to follow the doctor’s advice despite their concern.

• The interpreter should stay silent and let the patient deal with the situation privately.

• The interpreter should advise the patient to discuss the concern with the doctor after the session.