CHI Ethics & Professional Standards — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the healthcare interpreter's code of ethics regarding accuracy?
- Interpreters must convey all messages completely and accurately without adding, omitting, or changing meaning (Correct answer)
- Interpreters may simplify complex medical information
- Interpreters should add their own medical opinions
- Only important information needs to be interpreted
Correct answer: Interpreters must convey all messages completely and accurately without adding, omitting, or changing meaning
The accuracy principle requires interpreters to faithfully render all content of the source message including tone, register, and meaning without additions, omissions, or modifications.
Question 2: What does impartiality mean for a healthcare interpreter?
- Remaining neutral and not taking sides, even when personally disagreeing with what is being communicated (Correct answer)
- Always agreeing with the healthcare provider
- Advocating for the patient's preferences
- Taking the side of whoever is paying for the service
Correct answer: Remaining neutral and not taking sides, even when personally disagreeing with what is being communicated
Impartiality requires interpreters to remain neutral facilitators of communication, not advocates for either party, while still fulfilling their role as cultural brokers when appropriate.
Question 3: When should a healthcare interpreter break confidentiality?
- When required by law (child abuse reporting, imminent danger) or when patient safety is at immediate risk (Correct answer)
- Interpreters should never break confidentiality under any circumstances
- Whenever a family member requests information
- When the information is interesting enough to share
Correct answer: When required by law (child abuse reporting, imminent danger) or when patient safety is at immediate risk
Like other healthcare professionals, interpreters must break confidentiality when legally mandated (mandatory reporting) or when there is imminent risk of serious harm.
Question 4: What is the interpreter's role regarding cultural brokering?
- To bridge cultural gaps by explaining cultural practices that may affect healthcare decisions when relevant (Correct answer)
- To change the patient's cultural beliefs to match Western medicine
- To ignore cultural differences and focus only on language
- Cultural brokering is outside the interpreter's scope entirely
Correct answer: To bridge cultural gaps by explaining cultural practices that may affect healthcare decisions when relevant
Cultural brokering involves providing cultural context that helps both parties understand each other's perspectives, such as explaining cultural health beliefs, dietary practices, or family decision-making structures.
Question 5: How should an interpreter handle a situation where they realize a medical error is being communicated?
- Interpret accurately what is being said and, if appropriate, ask for clarification to ensure the message is correct (Correct answer)
- Correct the medical error themselves without informing anyone
- Refuse to interpret incorrect medical information
- Leave the room immediately to avoid involvement
Correct answer: Interpret accurately what is being said and, if appropriate, ask for clarification to ensure the message is correct
Interpreters should interpret accurately and may use appropriate transparency techniques (such as asking for clarification) when they believe there may be a misunderstanding that could affect patient safety.
Question 6: What is the standard of practice for telephone/video remote interpreting in healthcare?
- Same ethical and accuracy standards apply as in-person, with additional protocols for technology management and privacy (Correct answer)
- Lower accuracy standards are acceptable for remote interpreting
- Remote interpreting is not recognized as professional interpreting
- Only video interpreting meets professional standards
Correct answer: Same ethical and accuracy standards apply as in-person, with additional protocols for technology management and privacy
Remote interpreting (telephone and video) must meet the same accuracy, completeness, confidentiality, and impartiality standards as in-person interpreting, with additional attention to technology reliability and privacy.
CHI Ethics & Professional Standards
What is the healthcare interpreter's code of ethics regarding accuracy?