When communicating with a patient who does not speak the dominant language, what is the recommended practice?

• A. Use a family member as interpreter.
• B. Use a qualified interpreter or translation services; avoid relying on family members.
• C. Rely on machine translation apps.
• D. Wait for the patient to learn the language.

Answer: (B)

When working with someone who speaks a different language, the priority is to provide accurate and confidential communication through professional language support. A qualified interpreter or translation service ensures medical information, consent, instructions, and questions are conveyed correctly. This reduces the risk of miscommunication that can affect diagnosis, safety, and treatment adherence.

Relying on a family member introduces several issues: they may lack medical vocabulary, miss or alter details under emotional strain, or inadvertently reveal private information. This can lead to misunderstandings, incomplete information, or breached confidentiality. Machine translation apps aren’t reliable for medical discussions either; they can misinterpret critical terms and fail to capture nuance or consent.

Waiting for the patient to learn the language isn’t ethical or practical, and it can delay care. Use professional interpretation services (in person or via remote options) and confirm understanding with plain language and teach-back to ensure the patient truly comprehends the plan.