Dear Ethics Discussion Group:
I have a question I hope you can help me with. It concerns the matter of interpreter as witness in the consenting process for surgical procedures at healthcare institutions. Specifically, I would like to know (1) what institutional policies dictate re the witness vs. interpreter role in such authorizations, (2) whether there is anything in the literature that speaks directly to this role boundary (including and/or beyond the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice) and (3) what your healthcare institutions are choosing to do/uphold when it comes to such situations.
Thank you all, in advance, for your thoughtful feedback on this.
Respectfully,
Zoe