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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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Williams C, Chong G, Tacey M, Barnett F, Mooi J, Jalali A, Hodgson R, Yong T, Lee B. Addressing disparities in health outcomes for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and limited English proficiency. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38813793 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.14076] [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: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are significant challenges and a lack of data related to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) cancer patients. We compared patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer that required an interpreter. METHODS Registry data was extracted for advanced pancreatic cancer patients from a single health institution with a comprehensive Transcultural and Language Service (TALS). Demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics were compared. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates with log-rank testing, and univariate and multivariable regression analysis were performed to compare the group with limited English proficiency (LEP) to the English proficient (EP) group. RESULTS Of 155 patients, 32.9% (n = 51) required the TALS. The LEP group had a higher mean age (71.2 vs. 76.8 years; p = 0.005) and received less chemotherapy (42.3% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.220). Univariate analysis revealed a shorter median overall survival (OS) in the LEP group (3.6 vs. 5.0 months), with a hazard ratio [HR] of 1.51 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-2.21, p = 0.033). Upon multivariable analysis, adjusting for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance scale, the number of sites of metastatic disease and chemotherapy use, the strength of association between LEP and OS reduced marginally (HR 1.42, 95% CI: 0.93-2.16), and was no longer statistically significant (p = 0.103). CONCLUSIONS In patients with advanced pancreatic cancer utilizing a comprehensive TALS, there was a trend to poorer survival with limited English proficiency, although this association was not statistically significant. An ongoing research commitment to the CALD experience is necessary to build a granular understanding of this population and ensure equitable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Williams
- Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
| | - Geoff Chong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Mark Tacey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Frances Barnett
- Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
| | - Jennifer Mooi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
| | - Azim Jalali
- Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Western Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Russell Hodgson
- Division of Surgery, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Epping, Australia
| | - Tuck Yong
- Division of Surgery, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
| | - Belinda Lee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
- Personalised Oncology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
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Du AL, Yao PY, Gabriel RA, Shaw SJ. Association of race and ethnicity with pediatric burn outcomes: A population study of the Kids' Inpatient Database. Burns 2024; 50:244-251. [PMID: 37690963 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.08.019] [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] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While most studies on burn outcomes have focused on adults, it is unclear if the same socioeconomic and environmental inequalities affect paediatric patients. This study aims to investigate the impact of race and ethnicity on outcomes in paediatric burn patients. METHODS The Kids' Inpatient Database is released by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and is the largest publicly available database for the United States inpatient paediatric population. All paediatric burned patients in 2016 and 2019 were identified. Race and/or ethnicity was the primary exposure variable, and the primary outcome was a composite of several in-hospital morbidities. Secondary outcomes included death, non-routine disposition, and length of stay. Fine-Gray competing risks regression and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze length of stay and all other outcomes, respectively. Analysis also isolated subgroups related to socioeconomic status and case severity. RESULTS We included12,582 pediatric burn patients in this study. No difference was found in composite morbidity between White patients and those of other race or ethnicity groups. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with longer lengths of stay and increased odds of routine (i.e. home) discharge. Black patients had increased length of stay compared to White patients only in severe burn cases. CONCLUSIONS Our study implies that race- or ethnicity-associated mechanisms driving outcome disparities in adults does not necessarily apply in paediatric burn patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin L Du
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Perioperative Informatics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Phil Y Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Perioperative Informatics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rodney A Gabriel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Perioperative Informatics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Biomedical Informatics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Susanna J Shaw
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Perioperative Informatics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Ahrens E, Elias M. Effective communication with linguistically diverse patients: A concept analysis. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2023; 115:107868. [PMID: 37480794 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Effective communication is essential to providing high-quality healthcare. For linguistically diverse patients, communication remains a barrier to receiving equitable healthcare throughout the globe. It is necessary to examine the concept of effective communication with linguistically diverse patients. METHODS The Walker and Avant method was used to analyze the concept. RESULTS We define effective communication with linguistically diverse patients as any verbal or written communication between two or more individuals who do not speak the same language that utilizes accurate translation techniques to reach a shared message or understanding, where all parties involved are listened to and actively engaged. The antecedents, attributes, consequences, and empirical referents are mapped. CONCLUSION Effective communication with linguistically diverse patients is limited by a lack of access to professional language assistance, structural racism/discrimination, and policy barriers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Healthcare workers hold the power to provide language assistance to patients and should therefore receive training in cultural competency, cultural humility, and how to work with professional medical interpreters and language access programs. Institutions should invest in multimodal approaches to provide equitable healthcare to linguistically diverse patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Ahrens
- University of Washington School of Nursing, USA.
| | - Maya Elias
- University of Washington School of Nursing, USA
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Hodgson R, Albatat B, Tacey M, Zucchi E, Strugnell N, Lee B. An integrated interpreting service normalizes access to care for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients with colorectal cancer. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2023; 19:559-565. [PMID: 36507563 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.13907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
AIM To compare access to the initial management and overall survival with colorectal cancer for limited English proficient (LEP) patients compared with patients from an English background. METHODS All newly diagnosed patients from 2017 with colorectal cancer from a single health service with a highly multicultural catchment area and a well-developed and integrated translation and language support (TALS) department were recruited. Time from referral to: biopsy, date seen by a surgeon, oncologist, discussion at a multidisciplinary meeting (MDM), and day of commencement of the first treatment modality, and overall survival were analyzed. RESULTS One hundred sixty-two patients were analyzed, including 57 LEP patients from 22 countries of birth. Interpreters were present at 687/782 appointments with LEP patients. There were no differences in demographics or cancer staging. There were no differences between English background and LEP patients with regard to times from referral to biopsy (1 vs. 0 days), specialist review (surgical: 4 vs. 6 days, oncological: 45 vs. 57 days), MDM discussion (23 vs. 15 days), or commencement of treatment (32 vs. 28.5 days). There were no differences in treatment for colorectal cancer, although a higher rate of stomas was noted in LEP patients. There was no difference in overall survival between groups. CONCLUSION Time to critical initial checkpoints and overall survival were similar in LEP and English background patients with colorectal cancer. An integrated TALS department may abrogate the language and cultural barriers that are known to disadvantage LEP patients and may contribute to normalizing care for the culturally and linguistically diverse community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Hodgson
- Division of Surgery, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Batool Albatat
- Division of Surgery, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Tacey
- Department of Research, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emiliano Zucchi
- Transcultural and Language Services, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
- School of Languages, Literature, Cultures and Linguistics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil Strugnell
- Division of Surgery, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Belinda Lee
- Department of Oncology, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Oncology, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Kwan M, Jeemi Z, Norman R, Dantas JAR. Professional Interpreter Services and the Impact on Hospital Care Outcomes: An Integrative Review of Literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5165. [PMID: 36982073 PMCID: PMC10048935 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Migration patterns have rapidly changed in Australia and elsewhere, which have contributed to increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse societies. This requires healthcare sectors to provide professional interpreter services for patients with a language barrier to eliminate healthcare disparities. This integrative review aimed to investigate the impact of professional interpreter services on hospital care outcomes and the associated cost of service provision. A systematic search of five databases was conducted for peer-reviewed articles from January 1996 to December 2020. Data were extracted for the hospital setting, intervention, population, study design, outcomes and key findings. Following the PRISMA guidelines, full-text screening identified 37 articles that were analysed and included. Communication quality, hospital care outcomes and hospital costs were the three main themes identified. Closing the language gap should be a primary consideration to prevent adverse events that affect patient safety and the standard of care in hospitals. The findings of this review indicate the provision of professional interpreter services can enhance hospital care for linguistically diverse patients by improving patient-provider communication. To gain insight into the changing patterns on the outcomes of medical care, further research requires efforts by the hospital administrative system to document complete records of service usage.
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Hwang K, Williams S, Zucchi E, Chong TWH, Mascitti-Meuter M, LoGiudice D, Goh AMY, Panayiotou A, Batchelor F. Testing the use of translation apps to overcome everyday healthcare communication in Australian aged-care hospital wards-An exploratory study. Nurs Open 2021; 9:578-585. [PMID: 34704379 PMCID: PMC8685780 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims and objectives To trial three mobile translation apps in the healthcare setting to address language barriers in everyday care between healthcare staff and older people with limited English proficiency (LEP). Design A mixed‐methods exploratory study. Methods A two‐month trial of three translation apps was conducted across four aged‐care hospital wards. Observed interactions during use of translation apps were recorded, and staff surveys regarding the use of translation apps were collected at the end of the trial. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis of open‐ended responses in the surveys and observations. Findings from the thematic content analysis are reported using the Standards for Reporting of Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist. Results Translation apps were mostly used for identifying pain and assisting with activities of daily living. Qualitative findings revealed that translation apps aided staff in providing care and improved rapport; however, practical shortcomings were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Hwang
- National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sue Williams
- National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Terence W H Chong
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Dina LoGiudice
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita M Y Goh
- National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita Panayiotou
- National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frances Batchelor
- National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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