The universal GP Training website for everyone, not just Bradford.   Created in 2002 by Dr Ramesh Mehay

Consultation Skills

Language Barriers

Consulting with patients who speak a different language

Just because a patient speaks a different language doesn’t always mean you ALWAYS need an interpreter.  There are basic communication skills you can still do!   After all, our non-verbals communicate far more meaning that our verbals.  And don’t forget, patients sometimes present without an interpreter – so rather than going to default and asking the patient to come back with an interpreter – do some basics, like what have they come for and whether you can cope with the other communication skills available to you. 

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