Medical Interpreter-Roles and Ethics
Exam Questions and Answers
Code of Ethics - Answer-Set of principles or values that govern the conduct of members
of a profession while they are engaged in the enactment of that profession. Guidelines
for making judgments about what is acceptable and desirable behavior in a given
context or particular relationship. (NCIHC, 6)
Core Duty - Answer-To make possible the communication between two parties - patient
& provider - who do not speak the same language in order to achieve the goal of the
encounter - the health and well-being of the patient. (NCIHC, 8)
Ethos - Answer-Moral custom
Ethic - Answer-Principle of good conduct
6 Tenets of Code of Ethics - Answer-Confidentiality, Accuracy, Professionalism,
Impartiality, Use Advocacy and Cultural Interface Roles Appropriately, Professional
Development
Confidentiality, Confidencialidad - Answer-Interpreters will maintain confidentiality of all
assignment-related information. Do not disclose assignment-related information unless
with the expressed permission of all parties or if required by law. (IMIA, 1)
"Right to Know" - Answer-The norms of the U.S. medical system value and protect the
autonomy of the individual. It is with the individual that the right to know rests unless the
patient has explicitly or implicitly indicated otherwise.
Breaking the Code of Confidentiality - Answer-(1) The patient has communicated the
desire to hurt self or others. (2) There are statements of child, domestic, or elderly
abuse.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) - Answer-Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Ensure Confidentiality - Answer-(1) Avoid discussing sensitive medical information in
hallways, elevators, etc. (2) Shred medical notes after assignment or shift. (3) Disclose
to both parties that you are bound by a Code of Ethics to maintain information
confidential. (4) Do not volunteer health information about a patient to family members.
(5) Do not share the name of the patient or other identifying information when
discussing case studies. (6) Do not leave any document with the patient's name in a
public area.
Medical interpreter three core values - Answer-Beneficence
, Fidelity
Respect for cultural differences
Beneficence - Answer-Core value that is shared with other health care professions.
Essential obligation and duty to support the health and well-being of the patient and
their system of support and to do no harm.
Fidelity - Answer-Interpreters vow to remain faithful to the original message as they
convert utterances from one language into another without adding to, omitting from, or
distorting the original message.
Respect for cultural differences - Answer-Understanding speaker's cultural frame of
reference and being aware that cultural differences in perspectives and alternative
views of the world can lead to critical misunderstandings and miscommunication.
Roles of the Interpreter - Answer-Conduit, clarifier, culture broker, advocate
Conduit - Answer-Interpreter acts as a means for what is said by one party to reach the
other.
This is the basic or default role of the interpreter. The interpreter speaks exactly what
has been said in
the other language, BECOMING THE VOICE OF THE PATIENT AND THE PROVIDER.
Clarifier - Answer-There are times when a term or phrase is not heard or understood.
Usually evidenced by a "blank stare" or a delay in the response to a question. In this
role the interpreter checks for understanding and seeks to remove any doubts about
what was said. The interpreter assumes this role when he/she believe it is necessary to
facilitate understanding.
CULTURAL BROKER or CULTURAL INTERFACE - Answer-Taking on this role implies
having knowledge on the particular cultural beliefs of the individuals you are interpreting
for. That knowledge of different cultures allows the interpreter to detect cultural
misunderstandings and assume the role of cultural interface, providing the necessary
cultural framework to clear up any misunderstanding.
Advocate - Answer-Interpreter goes beyond being the patient's voice. Here the
interpreter ACTS on certain issues that he/she feels are necessary for the patient to get
the appropriate care he needs. THE INTERPRETER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
QUALITY OF CARE that the LEP patient is to receive. It is the most "active" role an
interpreter can assume and usually the least frequent one. There is a lot of controversy
over how much an interpreter should become involved in the patient's healthcare needs.
The general consensus is that this role should be assumed by the interpreter TO AVOID
HARM TO THE PATIENT OR ANOTHER PARTY.
The 9 Principles of the National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care (NCIHC) -
Answer-1. Confidentiality 2. Fidelity 3. Impartiality 4. Boundaries (Transparency,
Exam Questions and Answers
Code of Ethics - Answer-Set of principles or values that govern the conduct of members
of a profession while they are engaged in the enactment of that profession. Guidelines
for making judgments about what is acceptable and desirable behavior in a given
context or particular relationship. (NCIHC, 6)
Core Duty - Answer-To make possible the communication between two parties - patient
& provider - who do not speak the same language in order to achieve the goal of the
encounter - the health and well-being of the patient. (NCIHC, 8)
Ethos - Answer-Moral custom
Ethic - Answer-Principle of good conduct
6 Tenets of Code of Ethics - Answer-Confidentiality, Accuracy, Professionalism,
Impartiality, Use Advocacy and Cultural Interface Roles Appropriately, Professional
Development
Confidentiality, Confidencialidad - Answer-Interpreters will maintain confidentiality of all
assignment-related information. Do not disclose assignment-related information unless
with the expressed permission of all parties or if required by law. (IMIA, 1)
"Right to Know" - Answer-The norms of the U.S. medical system value and protect the
autonomy of the individual. It is with the individual that the right to know rests unless the
patient has explicitly or implicitly indicated otherwise.
Breaking the Code of Confidentiality - Answer-(1) The patient has communicated the
desire to hurt self or others. (2) There are statements of child, domestic, or elderly
abuse.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) - Answer-Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Ensure Confidentiality - Answer-(1) Avoid discussing sensitive medical information in
hallways, elevators, etc. (2) Shred medical notes after assignment or shift. (3) Disclose
to both parties that you are bound by a Code of Ethics to maintain information
confidential. (4) Do not volunteer health information about a patient to family members.
(5) Do not share the name of the patient or other identifying information when
discussing case studies. (6) Do not leave any document with the patient's name in a
public area.
Medical interpreter three core values - Answer-Beneficence
, Fidelity
Respect for cultural differences
Beneficence - Answer-Core value that is shared with other health care professions.
Essential obligation and duty to support the health and well-being of the patient and
their system of support and to do no harm.
Fidelity - Answer-Interpreters vow to remain faithful to the original message as they
convert utterances from one language into another without adding to, omitting from, or
distorting the original message.
Respect for cultural differences - Answer-Understanding speaker's cultural frame of
reference and being aware that cultural differences in perspectives and alternative
views of the world can lead to critical misunderstandings and miscommunication.
Roles of the Interpreter - Answer-Conduit, clarifier, culture broker, advocate
Conduit - Answer-Interpreter acts as a means for what is said by one party to reach the
other.
This is the basic or default role of the interpreter. The interpreter speaks exactly what
has been said in
the other language, BECOMING THE VOICE OF THE PATIENT AND THE PROVIDER.
Clarifier - Answer-There are times when a term or phrase is not heard or understood.
Usually evidenced by a "blank stare" or a delay in the response to a question. In this
role the interpreter checks for understanding and seeks to remove any doubts about
what was said. The interpreter assumes this role when he/she believe it is necessary to
facilitate understanding.
CULTURAL BROKER or CULTURAL INTERFACE - Answer-Taking on this role implies
having knowledge on the particular cultural beliefs of the individuals you are interpreting
for. That knowledge of different cultures allows the interpreter to detect cultural
misunderstandings and assume the role of cultural interface, providing the necessary
cultural framework to clear up any misunderstanding.
Advocate - Answer-Interpreter goes beyond being the patient's voice. Here the
interpreter ACTS on certain issues that he/she feels are necessary for the patient to get
the appropriate care he needs. THE INTERPRETER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
QUALITY OF CARE that the LEP patient is to receive. It is the most "active" role an
interpreter can assume and usually the least frequent one. There is a lot of controversy
over how much an interpreter should become involved in the patient's healthcare needs.
The general consensus is that this role should be assumed by the interpreter TO AVOID
HARM TO THE PATIENT OR ANOTHER PARTY.
The 9 Principles of the National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care (NCIHC) -
Answer-1. Confidentiality 2. Fidelity 3. Impartiality 4. Boundaries (Transparency,
