In our experience as gynecologists, sometimes there is no alternative, even if the best solution would be for the woman to be alone during her visit or with both a cultural mediator and the doctor. If the interpreter is a family member, this can create problems both for the woman (who must reveal confidential information regarding her intimate life) and for the doctor, who has no assurance that his/her messages are being properly translated. It often happens that the interpreter husband/family member/friend talks about what he/she believes to be more correct in his/her culture in regards to the woman, instead of actually transmitting the doctor’s questions and the woman’s answers. It is very easy to create communication errors this way, resulting in errors in the use of contraception and in adherence to method of contraception over time.
