Why Every General Practice Needs ‘Use of the Interpreting Service’ Training – And It’s Free
In a multicultural country like Australia, the ability to communicate effectively with patients from all backgrounds is not just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. General practices increasingly serve communities where English is not the first language, and communication barriers can lead to misunderstandings, incorrect diagnoses, and patient dissatisfaction.
That’s why General Practice Training and Consulting has created a free online course: Training Course – Using Interpreters in General Practice—explicitly designed for front desk staff, practice nurses, and GPs.
Why This Course Matters
Patients from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities face significant challenges in healthcare. A missed word, misunderstood instruction, or unasked question can lead to health risks, non-compliance, and poor outcomes.
This course addresses a critical need in general practice: helping teams communicate clearly and respectfully by knowing when and how to use interpreters. It aligns with RACGP’s standards and ensures practices are ready to support all patients, regardless of language background.
What You’ll Learn
The course includes two practical modules:
- Module 1: Identifying When Interpreter Use Is Necessary
Learn how to recognise situations where an interpreter should be used, even if a patient appears to speak conversational English. This module teaches how to spot red flags for misunderstanding and how to ensure patients understand their rights regarding interpreter services. - Module 2: Booking and Using Interpreters Effectively
Participants are guided through how to access interpreter services (e.g., TIS National), how to set up consultations, and how to work with interpreters before, during, and after appointments.
Benefits for Practices
- Improved clinical safety: Miscommunication is a known cause of clinical errors. This course helps minimise those risks.
- Better patient satisfaction: Patients feel respected and understood and are more likely to comply with treatment.
- Meets accreditation standards: RACGP 5th Edition Criterion C8.1 requires non-clinical staff to receive role-appropriate training—this course helps you meet that requirement.
- Supports item billing documentation: For consultations that take longer due to interpreter use, accurate documentation supports Medicare billing and protects against audits.
Who Should Take This Course?
Everyone in general practice:
- Receptionists – who often organise interpreters and communicate appointment details.
- Nurses – who provide instructions and conduct assessments.
- GPs – who deliver the clinical consultation and are responsible for documentation and consent.
Free, Flexible, and Certificate-Backed
Like all courses offered on courses.generalpracticetraining.com.au, this course is:
- Completely free
- Self-paced and easy to complete in under an hour
- Comes with a certificate of completion that can be used for CPD records
Final Word
Language should never be a barrier to good healthcare. If your practice serves patients from diverse backgrounds—and most do—this course is not optional. It’s essential.
Help build a more inclusive, safer, and effective healthcare system—enrol now or share this with your staff today.
