In 2008 the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) identified new and emerging communities in rural and regional Victoria in great need of professionally interpreted medical consultations.
The VMC funded CEH to deliver training to general practitioners (GPs) working in private general practice in rural and regional Victoria.
The training aimed to:
- Enhance general practitioners' skills in communicating effectively with patients with low English proficiency needing to manage their chronic disease.
- Provide participating general practitioners with the knowledge and resources to improve their clinic's systems to facilitate the effective use of professional interpreters.
- Increase the usage of professional interpreters by general practitioners in consultations with patients with low English proficiency.
The training was accredited by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and delivered over two evenings to eight GPs in Moe.
Co-facilitated with a GP, the training included role plays with qualified interpreters and issues pertaining to a Refugee Health Assessment.
The project has been documented and recommendations have been made on training, billing and promotion of the Doctor's Priority Line.