Talking with the patient

How to work with a medical interpreter

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

MD / DOPANursing (NCLEX)EMS (NREMT)
Practice it in VR with Blocky

Patients with limited English face more errors and worse outcomes. A qualified interpreter makes care safe and fair.

Step by step

  1. Use a qualified interpreter

    Use a trained interpreter in person, by video or by phone. Avoid family members, especially children. [1]

  2. Brief the interpreter

    Share the goal of the visit and any sensitive topics before you start. [2]

  3. Position everyone

    Sit facing the patient, with the interpreter beside or slightly behind you. [2]

  4. Speak to the patient

    Look at the patient and speak in the first person: How are you feeling? Not: Ask her how she feels. [2]

  5. Use short sentences

    Pause often and avoid slang, idioms and jargon. [1]

  6. Check understanding

    Use teach-back through the interpreter. [1]

  7. Document

    Record the interpreter's name or ID number in the note. [2]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit (Teach-Back)
  2. AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)

Facts and steps follow AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs); AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit (Teach-Back). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.