If a clinician asks you to 'explain' something beyond translation, how should you respond?

• A. Provide a detailed medical interpretation of the explanation.
• B. Do not provide medical advice or add explanations beyond translating; offer to clarify and ensure the clinician restates in simpler terms if needed.
• C. Refuse to translate and end the encounter.
• D. Explain in lay terms while adding your own medical advice.

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is that an interpreter’s job is to translate what the clinician says, not to add medical explanations or advice. When a clinician asks you to explain something beyond translation, you should state that you will translate and, if needed, offer to clarify terms in plain language, but you won’t provide medical interpretations or added medical content. If clarification is needed for patient understanding, you can suggest that the clinician restate in simpler terms or have them provide the plain-language version themselves, so the patient receives the clinician’s message directly. This keeps boundaries clear, preserves accuracy, and avoids giving content you’re not authorized to provide. Other approaches push beyond the interpreter’s role, either by adding medical explanations, ending the encounter, or giving medical advice, which can create confusion or liability.