Australia has a rich cultural and linguistic diversity. The 2021 census revealed that over 5.5 million Australians speak a language other than English at home. Furthermore, Australians represent over 250 different ancestries and speak more than 350 languages.
Medical practitioners can engage a credentialed interpreter to communicate complex or technical information to patients with limited or no English language proficiency. This can help to ensure accuracy of communication, reduce confusion, save time, and protect practitioners from professional risk. It is particularly important when:
- Seeking informed consent
- Dealing with patients in a crisis
- Dealing with complexity
- Assessing patient competence
Services available to private medical practitioners
Private medical practitioners can use the Free Interpreting Service to access interpreting services delivered by TIS National, including:
- Immediate phone interpreting
- Automated Telephone Interpreting Service (ATIS)
- Pre-booked phone interpreting
- On-site interpreting