A visit to the doctor, however, is not the same as a movie or a church service.
Health care is unique.
Of course, the patient requires an interpreter to get the benefit of the doctor's instructions. But before the doctor can teach the patient to follow a course of treatment, he or she first must diagnose the patient. In most cases, this involves asking the patient questions about symptoms and such other things as general wellness, self-care practices, previous treatments, and family background. For diagnosis and informed consent, the physician requires the interpreter more than the patient does. Rejecting interpreters is a foolish liability for hospitals and physicians.