Why is adding or omitting information during interpretation dangerous?

• A. It Speeds Up The Encounter
• B. It Compromises Fidelity And Can Lead To Misdiagnosis, Unsafe Care, And Loss Of Trust
• C. It Helps The Patient Understand Better
• D. It Is Not Important As Long As Messages Are Conveyed

Answer: (B)

Maintaining fidelity to the original message in interpretation is essential for patient safety and trust. When an interpreter adds information, they are introducing content that wasn’t said, potentially changing what the clinician recommended or what the patient understood about risks, options, or next steps. When details are omitted, important symptoms, concerns, or instructions may be left out, which can lead to wrong interpretations of the patient’s condition or the clinician’s plan. Together, these distortions can lead to misdiagnosis, unsafe care, and a loss of trust in the medical encounter. The interpreter’s responsibility is to convey exactly what was communicated, including tone and emphasis where relevant, without adding or leaving out content. Options that seem to speed things up or supposedly help the patient understand better are appealing in the moment but are not acceptable because they sacrifice accuracy and safety. Similarly, the idea that it’s not important as long as the message is conveyed is false, since the precise content and meaning are what determine appropriate care and informed consent.