Professional Interpreter vs Family — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Use a professional medical interpreter rather than family
UK NHS and GMC guidance emphasise that professional interpreters should be offered for clinical consultations, especially in sensitive contexts such as palliative care, to ensure accuracy, safeguarding, confidentiality and informed consent. Family members may introduce bias, filter or withhold information, or compromise patient safety. While family members may assist informally if explicitly requested by a capacitated patient, professional interpretation remains best practice. Alternatives such as translation apps (Google Translate) are unreliable and unsafe, and assuming comprehension from non-verbal cues (like nodding) risks miscommunication. Option D aligns with authoritative UK guidance.
Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/cancer/palliative-care