Legal & Medical Interpreting Settings Flashcards

What is the purpose of a pre-assignment briefing between the interpreter and the attorney before a legal proceeding?

Answer: To review case terminology, logistics, and communication preferences without discussing case strategy or privileged information

Pre-briefings help interpreters prepare technically while maintaining ethical boundaries around privileged attorney-client information.

In medical interpreting, what does 'informed consent' require of the interpreter?

Answer: To interpret all information about risks, benefits, and alternatives accurately so the patient can make an autonomous decision

Interpreters must render all informed consent information accurately so patients can make genuinely autonomous, informed decisions.

Why is it generally inadvisable to use a Deaf patient's family member as an interpreter in a medical setting?

Answer: Family members may filter information, lack medical vocabulary, and compromise patient privacy and decision-making autonomy

Using family members risks confidentiality breaches, emotional filtering of sensitive information, and inadequate medical terminology.

What is 'relay interpreting' and when is it used?

Answer: A process where a hearing interpreter works from a CDI's ASL, used when language access requires an intermediary

Relay interpreting involves a CDI bridging communication between the Deaf client and the hearing interpreter, used when direct interpretation is insufficient.

Which ethical principle requires interpreters in medical settings to interpret even distressing diagnoses without softening the message?

Answer: Fidelity / accuracy

Fidelity to the message requires interpreters to convey all information, including difficult news, without altering tone or content.

Under ADA Title III, private medical practices are required to provide interpreters when:

Answer: Effective communication requires it and no undue burden exists

ADA Title III requires effective communication in private businesses including medical offices, with no minimum employee threshold.