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Chu JN, Wong J, Bardach NS, Allen IE, Barr-Walker J, Sierra M, Sarkar U, Khoong EC. Association between language discordance and unplanned hospital readmissions or emergency department revisits: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Qual Saf 2024; 33:456-469. [PMID: 38160059 PMCID: PMC11186734 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2023-016295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Studies conflict about whether language discordance increases rates of hospital readmissions or emergency department (ED) revisits for adult and paediatric patients. The literature was systematically reviewed to investigate the association between language discordance and hospital readmission and ED revisit rates. DATA SOURCES Searches were performed in PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar on 21 January 2021, and updated on 27 October 2022. No date or language limits were used. STUDY SELECTION Articles that (1) were peer-reviewed publications; (2) contained data about patient or parental language skills and (3) included either unplanned hospital readmission or ED revisit as one of the outcomes, were screened for inclusion. Articles were excluded if: unavailable in English; contained no primary data or inaccessible in a full-text form (eg, abstract only). DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two reviewers independently extracted data using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-extension for scoping reviews guidelines. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess data quality. Data were pooled using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models. We performed a meta-analysis of 18 adult studies for 28-day or 30-day hospital readmission; 7 adult studies of 30-day ED revisits and 5 paediatric studies of 72-hour or 7-day ED revisits. We also conducted a stratified analysis by whether access to interpretation services was verified/provided for the adult readmission analysis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Odds of hospital readmissions within a 28-day or 30-day period and ED revisits within a 7-day period. RESULTS We generated 4830 citations from all data sources, of which 49 (12 paediatric; 36 adult; 1 with both adult and paediatric) were included. In our meta-analysis, language discordant adult patients had increased odds of hospital readmissions (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.18). Among the 4 studies that verified interpretation services for language discordant patient-clinician interactions, there was no difference in readmission (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.05), while studies that did not specify interpretation service access/use found higher odds of readmission (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.22). Adult patients with a non-dominant language preference had higher odds of ED revisits (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.004 to 1.152) compared with adults with a dominant language preference. In 5 paediatric studies, children of parents language discordant with providers had higher odds of ED revisits at 72 hours (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.19) and 7 days (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03) compared with patients whose parents had language concordant communications. DISCUSSION Adult patients with a non-dominant language preference have more hospital readmissions and ED revisits, and children with parents who have a non-dominant language preference have more ED revisits. Providing interpretation services may mitigate the impact of language discordance and reduce hospital readmissions among adult patients. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022302871.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet N Chu
- Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeanette Wong
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Naomi S Bardach
- Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Philip R Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Isabel Elaine Allen
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jill Barr-Walker
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center Library, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Maribel Sierra
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- Tendo, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Urmimala Sarkar
- Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elaine C Khoong
- Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
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Lehman R, Moriarty H. Limited English Proficiency and Outcomes in the Intensive Care Unit: An Integrated Review. J Transcult Nurs 2024; 35:226-236. [PMID: 38351583 DOI: 10.1177/10436596241229485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Language barriers place patients at risk of substandard care. Hospitalized patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) face unique challenges, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). The purpose of this review is to critique and synthesize quantitative evidence on LEP and ICU outcomes. METHODOLOGY Quantitative studies published in English between 1999 and 2022 were queried using intentional terminology. RESULTS Searches yielded 138 results, with 12 meeting inclusion criteria. The analysis resulted in the extrapolation of five themes pertinent to outcomes of ICU patients or families with LEP: (a) knowledge deficit relating to conditions and care; (b) lack of language-appropriate care; (c) alienation from care process; (d) decreased confidence and ownership of care; and (e) relationship to clinical quality indicators. DISCUSSION Outcomes associated with LEP were largely negative and revealed unmet needs for ICU patients with LEP. More research is needed to improve linguistically and culturally congruent care in the ICU.
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Feister J, Razdan S, Sharp D, Punjabi S, Blecharczyk E, Escobar V, Gay PM, Scala M, Bonifacio S. Increasing in-person medical interpreter utilization in the NICU through a bundle of interventions. J Perinatol 2024:10.1038/s41372-024-01915-5. [PMID: 38424233 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-024-01915-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In-person medical interpretation improves communication with patients who have preferred language other than English (PLOE). Multi-dimensional barriers to use of medical interpreters limit their use in the NICU. LOCAL PROBLEM Medical teams in our NICU were not consistently using in-person medical interpreters, leading to ineffective communication with families with PLOE. METHODS/INTERVENTIONS Interventions included staff educational sessions and grand rounds regarding equitable language access, distribution of interpreter request cards to families, and allocation of dedicated in-person interpreters for NICU rounds. Interpreter utilization was calculated by total requests per Spanish-speaking person day in the NICU. RESULTS Interpreter utilization increased five-fold during the intervention period (from 0.2 to 1.0 requests per Spanish-speaking person day). CONCLUSIONS We substantially increased our unit in-person interpreter utilization through a bundle of multifaceted interventions, many of which were low-cost. NICUs should regard dedicated medical interpreters as a critical part of the care team.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Feister
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA.
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics & Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Sheila Razdan
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, CA, USA
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Danielle Sharp
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, CA, USA
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shamita Punjabi
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, CA, USA
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Blecharczyk
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, CA, USA
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Paw Mar Gay
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Melissa Scala
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, CA, USA
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sonia Bonifacio
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, CA, USA
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA
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Squires A, Gerchow L, Ma C, Liang E, Trachtenberg M, Miner S. A multi-language qualitative study of limited English proficiency patient experiences in the United States. PEC INNOVATION 2023; 2:100177. [PMID: 37384163 PMCID: PMC10294089 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study was to understand the limited English proficiency patient experience with health care services in an urban setting in the United States. Methods Through a narrative analysis approach, 71 individuals who spoke either Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Korean shared their experiences through semi-structured interviews between 2016 and 2018. Analyses used monolingual and multilingual open coding approaches to generate themes. Results Six themes illustrated patient experiences and identified sources of structural inequities perpetuating language barriers at the point of care. An important thread throughout all interviews was the sense that the language barrier with clinicians posed a threat to their safety when receiving healthcare, citing an acute awareness of additional risk for harm they might experience. Participants also consistently identified factors they felt would improve their sense of security that were specific to clinician interactions. Differences in experiences were specific to culture and heritage. Conclusions The findings highlight the ongoing challenges spoken language barriers pose across multiple points of care in the United States' health care system. Innovation The multi-language nature of this study and its methodological insights are innovative as most studies have focused on clinicians or patient experiences in a single language.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Squires
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Lauren Gerchow
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Chenjuan Ma
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Eva Liang
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Melissa Trachtenberg
- Center for Home Care Policy and Research, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Sarah Miner
- Wegman's School of Nursing, St. John Fischer College, Rochester, NY, United States of America
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Sharma RK, Cowan A, Gill H, Miyagawa LA. Understanding the Role of Caseworker-Cultural Mediators in Addressing Healthcare Inequities for Patients with Limited-English Proficiency: a Qualitative Study. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:1190-1199. [PMID: 36192577 PMCID: PMC10110807 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07816-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with limited-English proficiency (LEP) face multiple barriers to equitable healthcare. Interventions that go beyond interpretation, such as the use of bicultural-bilingual patient navigators, hold promise for addressing multi-level barriers. However, data about how to operationalize the tasks that are key to such interventions across diverse LEP communities are lacking. OBJECTIVE Using our health system's bicultural-bilingual caseworker-cultural mediator (CCM) program serving Amharic-, Cambodian/Khmer-, Somali-, Spanish-, and Vietnamese-speaking patients, we sought to understand the key tasks that comprise the CCMs' role and how these tasks enable them to address barriers to healthcare for patients with LEP. DESIGN Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2019 with a purposive sample (n=23) of clinicians, CCMs, and patients with LEP or their family members from all language groups. PARTICIPANTS Patients or family members receiving CCM services, CCMs, and clinicians who referred patients to the program. APPROACH Content analysis consisting of a hybrid deductive-inductive qualitative approach. KEY RESULTS Seven CCM tasks were identified: advocacy, care coordination, navigation, interpretation, education, mediation, and emotional support. Additionally, four key impacts emerged that described the ways in which these tasks enabled the CCMs to facilitate equitable care: bridging the patient, family, community, clinical team, and healthcare system; impacting knowledge of cultural issues and of the healthcare system; troubleshooting cultural barriers and problem solving; and enhancing relationship building. CONCLUSIONS We identified several tasks and impacts that enabled CCMs to address multi-level barriers to care experienced by patients with LEP and their families across diverse cultural and linguistic groups. Findings suggest opportunities for the generalizability of programs such as ours for multiple LEP populations. Additionally, interventions having a greater scope than interpretation and including relationships with communities may be more successful in addressing barriers to equitable care at the individual, system, and community levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi K Sharma
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Anna Cowan
- Interpreter Services Department, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Harsimrat Gill
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lea Ann Miyagawa
- Interpreter Services Department, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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Lion KC, Zhou C, Fishman P, Senturia K, Cole A, Sherr K, Opel DJ, Stout J, Hazim CE, Warren L, Rains BH, Lewis CC. A sequential, multiple assignment randomized trial comparing web-based education to mobile video interpreter access for improving provider interpreter use in primary care clinics: the mVOCAL hybrid type 3 study protocol. Implement Sci 2023; 18:8. [PMID: 36915138 PMCID: PMC10012737 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-023-01263-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals who use a language other than English for medical care are at risk for disparities related to healthcare safety, patient-centered care, and quality. Professional interpreter use decreases these disparities but remains underutilized, despite widespread access and legal mandates. In this study, we compare two discrete implementation strategies for improving interpreter use: (1) enhanced education targeting intrapersonal barriers to use delivered in a scalable format (interactive web-based educational modules) and (2) a strategy targeting system barriers to use in which mobile video interpreting is enabled on providers' own mobile devices. METHODS We will conduct a type 3 hybrid implementation-effectiveness study in 3-5 primary care organizations, using a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) design. Our primary implementation outcome is interpreter use, calculated by matching clinic visits to interpreter invoices. Our secondary effectiveness outcome is patient comprehension, determined by comparing patient-reported to provider-documented visit diagnosis. Enrolled providers (n = 55) will be randomized to mobile video interpreting or educational modules, plus standard interpreter access. After 9 months, providers with high interpreter use will continue as assigned; those with lower use will be randomized to continue as before or add the alternative strategy. After another 9 months, both strategies will be available to enrolled providers for 9 more months. Providers will complete 2 surveys (beginning and end) and 3 in-depth interviews (beginning, middle, and end) to understand barriers to interpreter use, based on the Theoretical Domains Framework. Patients who use a language other than English will be surveyed (n = 648) and interviewed (n = 75) following visits with enrolled providers to understand their experiences with communication. Visits will be video recorded (n = 100) to assess fidelity to assigned strategies. We will explore strategy mechanism activation to refine causal pathway models using a quantitative plus qualitative approach. We will also determine the incremental cost-effectiveness of each implementation strategy from a healthcare organization perspective, using administrative and provider survey data. DISCUSSION Determining how these two scalable strategies, alone and in sequence, perform for improving interpreter use, the mechanisms by which they do so, and at what cost, will provide critical insights for addressing a persistent cause of healthcare disparities. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT05591586.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Casey Lion
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98145-5005, USA.
| | - Chuan Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98145-5005, USA
| | - Paul Fishman
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kirsten Senturia
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Allison Cole
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kenneth Sherr
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Douglas J Opel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James Stout
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Carmen E Hazim
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Louise Warren
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bonnie H Rains
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cara C Lewis
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
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Kostareva U, Pe‘a (Varik) K, Siriwardhana C, Liu M, Qureshi K. Limited English Proficiency, Postoperative Complications, and Interpreter Use in Vascular Surgery Patients in Hawai'i. HAWAI'I JOURNAL OF HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE 2023; 82:39-49. [PMID: 36779005 PMCID: PMC9910193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A retrospective cohort analysis of inpatient and outpatient vascular surgery cases from 2014 to 2018 was conducted to analyze the relationship between limited English proficiency (LEP) and undesirable postoperative outcomes, and to evaluate interpreter use as part of culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS). Propensity score matching and logistic regression models were used to examine the association of English proficiency with postoperative outcomes and chart review was done to examine CLAS provision. Of the 959 cases, 57 (6%) were LEP and had noticeably worse health status before surgery than non-LEP. The 57 cases include 51 patients who had a single vascular surgery and 3 patients who had 2 vascular surgeries (different medical encounter/visit). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative outcomes between patients with LEP and without LEP. Males with LEP were significantly less likely than females to receive CLAS (P=.008). On the day of vascular surgery and/or the day informed surgical consent was obtained, 16% of patients with LEP received access to interpreters; 25% had no documentation about interpreter provision, and 59% had mixed language access (family, staff, or interpreter). The provision of interpreters might be influenced by providers' perceived ability to communicate with patients with LEP without an interpreter, ease of obtaining an interpreter, availability of family or ad-hoc interpreters, and patients' preferences. Future research should examine reasons for frequent use of untrained individuals and inform strategies to implement language services in line with national standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uliana Kostareva
- Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing (NAWSON), University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (UK)
| | | | - Chathura Siriwardhana
- Biostatistics Core, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (CS)
| | - Min Liu
- College of Education, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (ML)
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Sina B, Noemi G, Myriam G, Ursula F, Anne J, Jabeen F, Kristina K, Julia B. The use of intercultural interpreter services at a pediatric emergency department in Switzerland. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1365. [DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08771-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe aim of our study was to analyze the use of interpreter services and improve communication during health encounters with families with limited language proficiency (LLP) at the pediatric emergency department (ED) of the University Hospital of Bern.This study is a pre- and post-intervention study analyzing the use of interpreter services for LLP families. All families originating from a country with a native language other than German, English or French presenting to the ED were eligible to participate in the study. If they agreed to participate, the language proficiency of the caregiver present during the health encounter was systematically assessed during a phone interview within a few days after the consultation, using a standardized screening tool. If screened positive (relevant LLP), a second phone interview with an interpreter was conducted. Further variables were extracted including nationality, age, gender and date of visit using administrative health records. To increase the use of interpreter services, a package of interventions was implemented at the department during 3 months. It consisted of: i) in person and online transcultural teaching ii) awareness raising through the regular information channels and iii) the introduction of a pathway to systematically identify and manage LLP families.The proportion of LLP families who received an interpreter was 11.0% (14/127) in the pre-intervention period compared to 14.8% (20/135) in the post-intervention period. The interpreter use was therefore increased by 3.8% (95% CI − 0.43 to 0.21; p = 0.36).The assessed level of language proficiency of caregivers differed from the self-reported level of language proficiency. Of the study participants in the interview whose language proficiency was screened as limited, 77.1% estimated their language proficiency level as intermediate. More than half of the LLP families who did not receive an interpreter and participated in the interview reported, that they would have liked an interpreter during the consultation.Conclusions: Interpreter services are largely underused during health encounters with LLP families. Relying on caregivers´ self-assessed language proficiency and their active request for an interpreter is not sufficient to ensure safe communication during health encounters. Systematic screening of language proficiency and standardized management of LLP families is feasible and needed at health care facilities to ensure equitable care. Further studies are needed to analyze personal and institutional barriers to interpreter use and find interventions to sustainably increase the use of interpreter services for LLP families.
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Gutman CK, Lion KC, Fisher CL, Aronson PL, Patterson M, Fernandez R. Breaking through barriers: the need for effective research to promote language-concordant communication as a facilitator of equitable emergency care. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2022; 3:e12639. [PMID: 35072163 PMCID: PMC8759339 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) are at high risk for adverse outcomes in the US health care system. This is particularly true for patients with LEP seeking care in the emergency department (ED). Although professional language interpretation improves the quality of care for these patients, it remains underused. The dynamic, discontinuous nature of an ED visit poses distinct challenges and opportunities for providing equitable, high-quality care for patients with LEP. Evidence-based best practices for identifying patients with LEP and using professional interpretation are well described but inadequately implemented. There are few examples in the literature of rigorous interventions to improve quality of care and outcomes for patients with LEP. There is an urgent need for high-quality research to improve communication with patients with LEP along the continuum of emergency care in order to achieve equity in outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen K Gutman
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville Florida USA
| | - K Casey Lion
- Department of Pediatrics University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle, Washington USA
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development Seattle Children's Research Institute Seattle, Washington USA
| | - Carla L Fisher
- STEM Translational Communication Center University of Florida College of Journalism and Communication Gainesville Florida USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, Center for Arts in Medicine University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Paul L Aronson
- Department of Pediatrics Yale School of Medicine New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine Yale School of Medicine New Haven Connecticut USA
| | - Mary Patterson
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville Florida USA
- Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Rosemarie Fernandez
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville Florida USA
- Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville Florida USA
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Silva MD, Adelman RD, Singh V, Gupta R, Moxley J, Sobota RM, Tsai S, Abel BT, Reid MC. Healthcare Provider Perspectives Regarding Use of Medical Interpreters During End-of-Life Conversations With Limited English Proficient Patients. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2022; 39:220-227. [PMID: 34000817 PMCID: PMC10080979 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211015916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare providers increasingly care for patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). There is limited research evaluating healthcare provider utilization practices, attitudes, perceived benefits and barriers regarding the use of medical interpreters in end of life (EOL) and goals of care (GOC) conversations. OBJECTIVES To elicit healthcare providers' opinions of the role, factors that impact decisions to use medical interpreters and perceived utility of using medical interpreters when conducting EOL and GOC conversations with LEP patients and their families. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey of internal medicine trainees and attending physicians from a U.S. medical center. RESULTS A total of 117 surveys were collected with a response rate of 51%. In-person medical interpreters received higher ratings with regard to their helpfulness compared to telephone medical interpreters during EOL and GOC conversations. Being an attending physician and having received training in the use of a medical interpreter predicted higher composite scores reflecting greater awareness of the roles of medical interpreters and endorsement of best communication practices. In-person interpreters were viewed by a subset of participants as "standard of care" during EOL and GOC conversations. CONCLUSION Having more years in practice and receiving training in the use of medical interpreters correlated with more favorable attitudes toward the role of medical interpreters and positive communication practices. Incorporating early training in the use of medical interpreters could help enhance communication practices and outcomes during EOL and GOC conversations with LEP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagros D. Silva
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald D. Adelman
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vishwas Singh
- Section of Hospital Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Renuka Gupta
- Section of Hospital Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jerad Moxley
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Stephanie Tsai
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brittany T. Abel
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M. Carrington Reid
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Velasquez DE, Uppal N, Ortega G. Improving healthcare access for patients with limited English proficiency. J Hosp Med 2022; 17:59-61. [PMID: 34798005 DOI: 10.12788/jhm.3701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David E Velasquez
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Nishant Uppal
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gezzer Ortega
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Herbert BM, Johnson AE, Paasche-Orlow MK, Brooks MM, Magnani JW. Disparities in Reporting a History of Cardiovascular Disease Among Adults With Limited English Proficiency and Angina. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2138780. [PMID: 34905003 PMCID: PMC8672228 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.38780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) may be unaware of underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) owing to a lack of diagnostic testing or poor communication with health care practitioners. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether participants with anginal symptoms and LEP would be less likely to report a history of CVD compared with those without LEP. DESIGN, STUDY, AND PARTICIPANTS This population-based cross-sectional study combined data from 5 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles conducted from 2007 to 2016. Each cycle includes an interview that collects demographic, dietary, and health-related data as well as a medical examination component in which physiological measurements are taken. All NHANES participants aged 40 years or older who took the Rose questionnaire were included. Data were analyzed from September 2020 to April 2021. EXPOSURES LEP was defined as a participant receiving the survey in a non-English language or by interpreter. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The 7-item Rose questionnaire assessed the presence of anginal symptoms. Self-reported CVD was defined as history of heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction. The association between LEP status and self-reported CVD among those with anginal symptoms was determined in multivariable-adjusted models. All analyses were weighted per NHANES analytic protocols. RESULTS Among 19 320 participants (mean [SD] age, 57.8 [11.8] years; 9344 [47.2%] male; 4145 [10.6%] Black; 2743 [6.3%] Mexican American; 2111 [4.6%] other Hispanic; 8386 [71.6%] White; and 1935 [6.9%] other race), 583 (3.0%) reported anginal symptoms. Of these, most were non-LEP (484 [96.1%]), women (344 [62.1%]), White (251 [66.8%]), and did not report having CVD (347 [62.8%]). Among those with angina, 73 of 99 respondents with LEP (79.0%) reported not having a history of CVD, compared with 274 of 484 without LEP (61.4%; P = .002). Participants with LEP had 2.8-fold higher odds of not reporting a history of CVD compared with participants without LEP (odds ratio, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.38-5.55; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among NHANES participants reporting anginal symptoms, participants with LEP were more likely not to report having CVD. This discrepancy may be because of higher rates of undiagnosed CVD or lower awareness of such diagnoses among individuals with LEP. Our findings highlight the relevance of communication strategies for individuals with LEP to provide effective intervention and treatment for CVD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M. Herbert
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Amber E. Johnson
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Maria M. Brooks
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jared W. Magnani
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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13
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Khoong EC, Fernandez A. Addressing Gaps in Interpreter Use: Time for Implementation Science Informed Multi-Level Interventions. J Gen Intern Med 2021; 36:3532-3536. [PMID: 33948799 PMCID: PMC8606497 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-06823-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elaine C Khoong
- Division of General Internal Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Alicia Fernandez
- Division of General Internal Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Latinx Center of Excellence, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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14
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Harrison JD, Weiss R, Radhakrishnan NS, Hanson C, Carnie MB, Evans P, Banta J, Symczak G, Ziegler G, Holmes D, Michel-Leconte SJ, Rogers B, Wurst M, Alikhaani J, Davis C, Lee T, Schnipper JL, Auerbach AD, Romond J. A Patient-Centered Environmental Scan of Inpatient Visitor Policies During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Patient Exp 2021; 8:23743735211049646. [PMID: 34712784 PMCID: PMC8547154 DOI: 10.1177/23743735211049646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers and patients conducted an environmental scan of policy documents and public-facing websites and abstracted data to describe COVID-19 adult inpatient visitor restrictions at 70 academic medical centers. We identified variations in how centers described and operationalized visitor policies. Then, we used the nominal group technique process to identify patient-centered information gaps in visitor policies and provide key recommendations for improvement. Recommendations were categorized into the following domains: 1) provision of comprehensive, consistent, and clear information; 2) accessible information for patients with limited English proficiency and health literacy; 3) COVID-19 related considerations; and 4) care team member methods of communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Harrison
- Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Weiss
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Catherine Hanson
- Office of Patient Experience, University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL, USA.,Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Martha B Carnie
- Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA.,Center for Patient & Families, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patricia Evans
- Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jim Banta
- Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gina Symczak
- Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Georgiann Ziegler
- Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D'Anna Holmes
- Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA.,Astellas Pharma Inc, Northbrook, IL, USA
| | - Safia J Michel-Leconte
- Office of Patient Experience, University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL, USA.,Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Beverly Rogers
- Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Melissa Wurst
- Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Alikhaani
- Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN) Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Clark Davis
- Brigham Health Hospital Medicine Unit, Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tiffany Lee
- Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Schnipper
- Brigham Health Hospital Medicine Unit, Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew D Auerbach
- Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Romond
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
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15
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Portillo EN, Stack AM, Monuteaux MC, Curt A, Perron C, Lee LK. Association of limited English proficiency and increased pediatric emergency department revisits. Acad Emerg Med 2021; 28:1001-1011. [PMID: 34431157 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Limited English proficiency (LEP) is a risk factor for health care inequity and an important focus for improving communication and care quality. This study examines the association between LEP and pediatric emergency department (ED) revisits. METHODS This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients 0 to 21 years old discharged home after an initial visit from an academic, tertiary care pediatric ED from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. We calculated rates of ED revisits within 72 h resulting in discharge or hospitalization and assessed rate differences between LEP and English-proficient (EP) patients. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between revisits and LEP status controlling for age, race, ethnicity, triage acuity, clinical complexity, and ED arrival time. Sensitivity models including insurance were also conducted. RESULTS There were 63,601 index visits in the study period; 12,986 (20%) were by patients with LEP. There were 2,387 (3.8%) revisits within 72 h of initial ED visit. Among LEP and EP patient visits, there were 4.53 and 3.55 revisits/100 initial ED visits, respectively (rate difference = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.58 to 1.37). In the multivariable analyses, LEP was associated with increased odds of revisits resulting in discharge (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.30) and in hospitalization (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.58). Sensitivity analyses additionally adjusting for insurance status attenuated these results. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that LEP was associated with increased pediatric ED revisits. Improved understanding of language barrier effects on clinical care is important for decreasing health care disparities in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse N. Portillo
- Section of Emergency Medicine Baylor College of MedicineTexas Children’s Hospital Houston Texas USA
| | - Anne M. Stack
- Division of Emergency Medicine Boston Children’s Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Michael C. Monuteaux
- Division of Emergency Medicine Boston Children’s Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Alexa Curt
- Division of Emergency Medicine Boston Children’s Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Catherine Perron
- Division of Emergency Medicine Boston Children’s Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Lois K. Lee
- Division of Emergency Medicine Boston Children’s Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA
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Maldonado M, Farouk S, Campbell K, Thomas D. Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a Limited English Proficiency Curriculum. JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION IN MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.29024/jsim.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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17
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Lion KC, Gritton J, Scannell J, Brown JC, Ebel BE, Klein EJ, Mangione-Smith R. Patterns and Predictors of Professional Interpreter Use in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Pediatrics 2021; 147:peds.2019-3312. [PMID: 33468598 PMCID: PMC7906072 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-3312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Professional interpretation for patients with limited English proficiency remains underused. Understanding predictors of use is crucial for intervention. We sought to identify factors associated with professional interpreter use during pediatric emergency department (ED) visits. METHODS We video recorded ED visits for a subset of participants (n = 50; 20% of the total sample) in a randomized trial of telephone versus video interpretation for Spanish-speaking limited English proficiency families. Medical communication events were coded for duration, health professional type, interpreter (none, ad hoc, or professional), and content. With communication event as the unit of analysis, associations between professional interpreter use and assigned interpreter modality, health professional type, and communication content were assessed with multivariate random-effects logistic regression, clustered on the patient. RESULTS We analyzed 312 communication events from 50 ED visits (28 telephone arm, 22 video arm). Professional interpretation was used for 36% of communications overall, most often for detailed histories (89%) and least often for procedures (11%) and medication administrations (8%). Speaker type, communication content, and duration were all significantly associated with professional interpreter use. Assignment to video interpretation was associated with significantly increased use of professional interpretation for communication with providers (adjusted odds ratio 2.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-7.0). CONCLUSIONS Professional interpreter use was inconsistent over the course of an ED visit, even for patients enrolled in an interpretation study. Assignment to video rather than telephone interpretation led to greater use of professional interpretation among physicians and nurse practitioners but not nurses and other staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Casey Lion
- Department of Pediatrics and,Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development and
| | - Jesse Gritton
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development and
| | - Jack Scannell
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development and
| | - Julie C. Brown
- Department of Pediatrics and,Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Beth E. Ebel
- Department of Pediatrics and,Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and,Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development and
| | - Eileen J. Klein
- Department of Pediatrics and,Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rita Mangione-Smith
- Department of Pediatrics and,Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development and
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18
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Ochoa CY, Miller KA, Baezconde-Garbanati L, Slaughter RI, Hamilton AS, Milam JE. Parental Cancer-related Information Seeking, Health Communication and Satisfaction with Medical Providers of Childhood Cancer Survivors: Differences by Race/Ethnicity and Language Preference. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2021; 26:83-91. [PMID: 33688790 PMCID: PMC8547415 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2021.1895919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
For childhood cancer survivors (CCS), parents play an important role in communicating with providers and conveying patient's needs. This exploratory study examined the prevalence of cancer-related information-seeking among parents of CCS and investigated the association between parents' race/ethnicity and language preference with health communication and satisfaction with child's medical providers. One hundred and sixty CCS and their parents from two hospitals in Los Angeles County were recruited from the SEER registry. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed associations between parents' race/ethnicity and language preference and their health communication with their child and with their child's medical care providers. Among the parents, 29% were Spanish-speaking Hispanics, 27% English-speaking Hispanics, and 43% English-speaking non-Hispanics. Regardless of language preference, Hispanic parents were more likely than non-Hispanic parents to receive health information about their CCS's cancer from hospital sources versus the internet. There was no difference by ethnicity/language in parent satisfaction with their CCS's medical provider. Spanish-speaking Hispanic parents were more likely to report talking to their CCS about the need for cancer-related follow-up care compared to non-Hispanic English-speaking parents. These findings point to the potential importance of parents' ethnicity and language for sources of health information and frequency of communication with their CCS about their cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Y. Ochoa
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Miller
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rhona I. Slaughter
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ann S. Hamilton
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joel E. Milam
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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19
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An Implementation Science Approach Improves Language Access in the Emergency Department. J Immigr Minor Health 2021; 23:1214-1222. [PMID: 33387259 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-020-01127-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The underuse of interpreters for limited English proficiency (LEP) patient encounters is pervasive, particularly in the emergency department (ED). OBJECTIVE To measure the outcome of strategies to improve the use of interpreters by ED providers. METHODS Pre- and post- intervention evaluation of the unmet need for language assistance (LA) in a public ED. Informed by the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW), strategies included: education, training, technology-based facilitators, local champions and environmental cues. RESULTS Pre-intervention, of the 110 patient charts with interpreter requests, 17 (15.5%) had documentation of an interpreter-mediated encounter or were seen by a certified bilingual provider (unmet need = 84.5%). Post intervention, of the 159 patient charts with interpreter requests, 47 (29.6%) had documentation of an interpreter-mediated encounter or were seen by a certified bilingual provider (unmet need = 70.4%), difference + 0.14 (95% CI = 0.03-0.23). CONCLUSION In this pilot study, we found a statistically significant increase in the met need for language assistance.
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20
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Nguyen DQ, Ifejika NL, Reistetter TA, Makam AN. Factors Associated with Duration of Rehabilitation Among Older Adults with Prolonged Hospitalization. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 69:10.1111/jgs.16988. [PMID: 33393088 PMCID: PMC8217402 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Older adults are prone to functional decline during prolonged hospitalization. Although rehabilitation therapy is critical to preserving function, little is known about rehabilitation duration (RD) in this population. We sought to determine the extent of rehabilitation therapy provided to older adults during prolonged hospitalization, and whether this differs by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING Single-site safety-net hospital. PARTICIPANTS Older adults (≥65 years) hospitalized for ≥14 days between 2016 and 2017. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome was RD, defined as the average number of minutes of physical and occupational therapy per week. We used a multivariable generalized linear model to assess for differences in RD by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. For a sub-cohort of hospitalizations with a baseline mobility assessment, we repeated analyses including mobility limitation as a covariate. RESULTS Among 1,031 hospitalizations by 925 unique patients (median age 72, 49% female, 79% non-white, 40% non-English speaking), the median RD was 61.3 minutes/week (interquartile range = 16.5-127.3). Covariates associated with lesser RD included black (57.2 fewer minutes/week; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 22.9-91.4) and Hispanic (75.6 fewer minutes/week; 95% CI = 33.8-117.4) race/ethnicity, speaking a language other than English or Spanish (51.7 fewer minutes/week; 95% CI = 21.3-82.0), prolonged mechanical ventilation (30.0 fewer minutes/week; 95% CI = 6.6-53.3), and do-not-resuscitate code status (36.0 fewer minutes/week; 95% CI = 17.1-54.8). The inclusion of mobility limitation among the sub-cohort (n = 350) did not meaningfully change the associations. CONCLUSION We found large disparities in RD for racial/ethnic and language minorities and clinically vulnerable older adults (mechanical ventilation and do-not-resuscitate code status), independent of clinical severity and functional and cognitive impairment. Greater RD for these groups may improve functional outcomes and narrow the disparity gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danh Q. Nguyen
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas
| | - Nneka L. Ifejika
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Timothy A. Reistetter
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Anil N. Makam
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Division of Hospital Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California, San Francisco, California
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21
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Lion KC, DeCamp LR. Inpatient Language Barriers: An Old Problem in Need of Novel Solutions. J Hosp Med 2019; 14:640-641. [PMID: 31577222 PMCID: PMC6817306 DOI: 10.12788/jhm.3260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K Casey Lion
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
- Corresponding Author: K. Casey Lion, MD, MPH; E-mail: ; Telephone: 206-884-1049
| | - Lisa Ross DeCamp
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
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