Australians from non-English speaking backgrounds are statistically less likely to access health services regularly, which often leads to poorer health outcomes. And with many at home more often since the pandemic began, doctors are concerned these effects may compound.
This prompted Western Sydney's Local Health District to bring forward the release of its new virtual care service, which includes a three-way video interpreting platform that anyone can access.
Dr Renu Narchal, a senior lecturer at Western Sydney University's school of psychology, says the visual element is very important, as interpreting is not only about words.
"The body language is really important, and also the emotions, and the facial expressions et cetera that come through the so-called friendly, or unfriendly look, the sense of empathy that somebody might get. So yes those links are certainly important and it would be good to have that kind of face-to-face conversation with the person."
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