When English isn’t the language of the medicine cabinet
Medicine labels, dosage instructions and side-effect warnings in Australia are almost always written in English. A person may prefer to discuss medicines in Urdu or Hindi, even when they understand conversational English. HomeMed plans to offer HMR interviews in English, اردو and हिन्दी once its MMR credential and service-provider approval are confirmed.
السلام علیکم· नमस्ते
A patient may prefer to discuss health information in Urdu or Hindi even when medicine labels, written material and other appointments use English. Translating a clinical conversation in real time can place an extra communication task on the patient and their family. A direct conversation in the patient’s preferred available language can keep the focus on the patient’s own account and questions.
If you would like the review itself done in Urdu or Hindi, that page sets out how it works, including a note in both languages you can show your parent.
When a family member helps with language
A family member may join an HMR when the patient wants them there, but they do not have to interpret a planned HomeMed interview offered directly in Urdu or Hindi. If another language is preferred, interpreter or language-support arrangements should be discussed before the appointment rather than assumed.
What can get lost in translation
The gap is not always a dramatic misunderstanding. It can be a warning about taking a tablet with food becoming a vague “don’t forget to eat,” or a question about a side effect being left out because it felt awkward to raise through a translator. A planned review in a patient’s preferred language is intended to give them space to explain what each medicine is for, how it is taken and what concerns they have. That is one reason language, literacy and cultural factors are relevant to medication reviews.
Why language matters in a planned review
A planned interview in Urdu or Hindi would give a patient the option to discuss their medicines directly in a preferred language, with a family member present if they want support. This can help keep the conversation focused on the patient’s own account of how medicines are taken, how they feel and what questions they have. It does not replace clinical judgement or the prescriber’s role.
The planned service is intended to make it possible for your parent to discuss their medicines in English, Urdu or Hindi, according to their preference, after HomeMed’s MMR credential and service-provider approval are confirmed.
What the planned interview covers
HomeMed’s planned interview length is 45–60 minutes at the patient’s home, covering each box, blister pack and bottle they actually use. Questions include how a medicine is taken, how it makes the patient feel, possible adverse effects and their understanding of why it was started. The interview can move between English, Urdu and Hindi according to the patient’s preference.
The clinical report is written in English and sent to the referrer and, when different, the regular GP. Prescribing decisions remain with the relevant prescriber.
How this fits into a Home Medicines Review
A funded Home Medicines Review requires a referral from an eligible medical practitioner and must be provided at no charge to the patient; a separate referrer appointment may have its usual fee.2 Difficulty with language, literacy or cultural factors is specifically recognised as one of the situations a comprehensive medication review is designed to help with.1 The planned interview is intended to take place in whichever of English, Urdu or Hindi your family member is most comfortable using. A family member may join when the patient wants support, but is not required to carry or interpret the conversation.
The planned interview covers every medicine your family member takes, prescription and over-the-counter, in their home. The report goes to the referrer and, when different, the regular GP; prescribing decisions remain with the relevant prescriber.3 If a hospital stay is what prompted the conversation, our article on the riskiest weeks after a hospital stay covers what’s worth checking first, and our guide on how to organise a review for your parent walks through the referral pathway. HomeMed is based in Craigieburn and plans to cover Melbourne’s north after its MMR credential and service-provider approval are confirmed, with interviews planned in English, Urdu or Hindi.
If your family is in Roxburgh Park or nearby, the Roxburgh Park HMR pharmacist page has local detail, reviews in Urdu and Hindi covers the language side in depth, and HMR pharmacist Melbourne covers eligibility and cost.
Not sure what to do next?
Send an enquiry about the medicines or referral pathway and I’ll explain the next step. An enquiry does not commit you to a review.
References
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, HMR and RMMR Fact Sheet for Medical Specialists: psa.org.au
- Pharmacy Programs Administrator, Home Medicines Review: ppaonline.com.au
- Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Home Medicines Review: health.gov.au