Table 4.

Recommendations for working with interpreters

1. All neuropsychologists should be trained in working with interpreters to improve the outcome of interpreted assessments

2. Neuropsychologists need to know about existing guidelines for working with interpreters—perhaps these should be included in standard (clinical) training

3. Interpreters should be trained

4. Standard practice before the neuropsychological assessment should entail a briefing with the interpreter about:

- the aims of the assessment/what the neuropsychologist wants to accomplish

- the case

- the instruments

- the procedures (of the assessment), in particular:

○ failing of the patient is a vital part of the examination

○ interpreters should translate as literally as possible

○ only to intervene/correct if the neuropsychologists says so, i.e., not give any hints, additional information, etc.

- the expected responses

5. Hire interpreters with experience/training in clinical settings, perhaps even create a whitelist (or blacklist) of interpreters

6. Adapted tests are often translated/back-translated multiple times; have interpreters use the official translated instructions instead of interpreting freely based on what the neuropsychologist says

7. Awareness of regional or country-specific variations in language; e.g., it is not ideal to use a Spanish interpreter from Spain for the assessment of Latin American patients

8. Improve availability (funding)