How should interpreters handle educational visuals or diagrams used by clinicians?

• A. Ignore the visuals and rely on memory.
• B. Translate or describe the visuals clearly and check patient understanding.
• C. Provide your own interpretation of the data.
• D. Redraw the diagrams for the patient.

Answer: (B)

Clear, patient-centered translation of educational visuals is essential because visuals often convey complex information more effectively than words alone. As an interpreter, translate or describe what the diagram shows in plain, accurate language, including what the components mean, what the axes or scales represent, any numbers or percentages, and what outcomes or comparisons are highlighted. Then use a teach-back approach to confirm understanding: ask the patient to restate in their own words what the diagram communicates and what decisions it informs. This ensures the patient can base choices on a correct understanding. Do not inject your own interpretation or alter the data, and do not redraw the diagram—the visuals carry specific information that must be preserved. If anything is unclear, seek clarification from the clinician instead of guessing, and tailor the explanation to the patient’s language, literacy level, and cultural or accessibility needs.