Providing Healthcare Through Language and Cultural Barriers
by Jenn Christine | Dec 23, 2022 | Healthcare, Jenn Christinea
According to a recent survey, over sixty million people in the US reported that they come from a non-English speaking home Within that population, a signi cant percentage admitted to uency concerns surrounding English. In other words, they don’t feel comfortable with their ability to speak or understand the language.
This is critical information for doctors and medical professionals to understand. There will always be language and cultural barriers, especially for doctors that specialize in outreach or work in diverse areas
As medical professionals, we must nd ways to provide healthcare through these barriers
It can sometimes feel challenging, but a foundation is already available for professionals to rely on.
https://jennchristine.com/providing-healthcare-through-language-and-cultural-barriers/
The Signi cance of Interpreters
Our current health policies work hard to protect patient rights, including those who speak other languages. However, as a whole, these policies fail to incorporate all of the current concerns. This means they don’t address common issues. They likewise don’t provide the coverage necessary.
For example, interpreters can make a signi cant di erence in patient care. When patients fully understand their condition – and the treatment necessary – they are less likely to face further challenges or repeat conditions. In other words, they are less likely to require return visits for the same concern. Likewise, patients feel more comfortable seeking care and asking for help when they know they will be understood.
Limitations in Policies
Unfortunately, many medical facilities do not provide adequate translation services. Part of the problem stems from limited funds or access to translating services. The other part of the problem is that these services are frequently undervalued, despite their proven e ectiveness. This means they are the rst thing cut when budget concerns arise.
If providing translation services was a requirement for all major facilities, with additional funding made available for that purpose, we would see an increase in patient care. After all, it is much more accessible for patients to receive care in a way that makes sense to them
Another signi cant concern with linguistic policies is the lack of consistency or clarity For example, a facility may hire an assistant or trainee with the understanding that they are bilingual. However, there are currently no guidelines in place for bilingual workers. This means there is no standardization, so a worker may not be as skilled in a language as they claim, providing patients with a poor interpreter explaining critical health concerns
Communication Errors and Healthcare
Studies have shown that many medical mistakes and misunderstandings occur due to communication errors This percentage increases when language barriers are in the mix Since there is no easy x for these issues, most facilities have failed to nd creative solutions to meet their individual needs.
https://jennchristine.com/providing-healthcare-through-language-and-cultural-barriers/
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