Are interpreters allowed to give medical advice or disclaimers?

• A. No; interpreters should not provide advice; they relay information and clarify.
• B. Yes, if asked.
• C. Only if the patient asks for help.
• D. Always provide disclaimers.

Answer: (A)

Interpreters are there to convey information accurately and clearly, not to give medical advice or medical disclaimers. Their role is to translate what the clinician says, restate terms in plain language, and help the patient understand risks, instructions, and options. They lack the medical training to assess a condition or tailor guidance, so offering advice or personal judgments could be misleading or unsafe. If a clinician provides a disclaimer or explains a treatment plan, the interpreter conveys that content faithfully; if the patient asks for help deciding what to do, the interpreter should relay the question and the professional guidance without adding their own recommendations. In emergencies, the focus remains on clear communication and following the clinician’s directions, not on the interpreter giving medical advice.