Joshua Young, VP of Interactive Patient Care and Smart Rooms
One of the most impactful social determinants of a person’s health is the ability to access health information in a language they understand. In the United States, over 25 million people are considered to have limited English proficiency (LEP). This statistic underscores a significant language barriers challenge, particularly as it is notably prevalent among Medicaid recipients. Additionally, more than 67.3 million people in the US speak a language other than English at home. These numbers indicate a substantial portion of the population that may face barriers to receiving effective healthcare due to language differences. Addressing these barriers is crucial for advancing health literacy and health equity.
The Case for Multilingual Patient Experiences
Offering a multilingual patient experience is critical for improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities. When patients can understand health information in their preferred language, they are better equipped to make informed decisions about their health care. This leads to better adherence to treatment plans, fewer medical errors, and overall improved health outcomes.
Steps to Improve Health Literacy and Equity
Health systems can take several proactive steps to enhance health literacy and equity for non-English-speaking patients:
- Recording Patient’s Preferred Language in the EHR: It’s essential to document each patient’s preferred language in their electronic health record (EHR). This ensures that healthcare providers are aware of and prepared to meet language needs from the beginning of care.
- Offer Access to Qualified Healthcare Interpreters: Providing access to qualified healthcare interpreters can bridge the communication gap, allowing patients to fully understand their health conditions and treatment plans. This is particularly important during critical medical consultations where miscommunication can have serious consequences.
- Plan for Language Access in Advance: Using community data to identify prevalent language needs can help health systems efficiently allocate resources and prepare to meet their patients’ linguistic requirements. This preemptive approach ensures that language services are available when and where they are needed most.
- Provide Translations for Patient-Facing Information: Translations should be offered for all patient-facing information. This includes care team details, health and medication education, meal ordering services, entertainment, and more. Such an inclusive approach ensures that patients have access to comprehensive information in a language they understand.
- Automatically Provide Content in the Patient’s Preferred Language: Where possible, content should be automatically translated into the patient’s preferred language. This practice fosters an environment where patients feel comfortable and confident in their care, knowing they understand the information being communicated to them.
The Importance of Accessible Health Information
Health literacy and equity are foundational to a functioning healthcare system that serves all individuals, regardless of their linguistic background.
By implementing practices that ensure patients receive health information in their preferred language, health systems can eliminate barriers and foster an inclusive environment. In turn, this access helps individuals live their healthiest lives, free from the kind of misunderstandings and miscommunications that can arise from language barriers.
Ultimately, this approach not only improves health outcomes but also contributes to a more equitable healthcare system where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their fullest health potential.
Check out our Point of Care Engagement solution to see how you can deliver an exceptional inpatient experience that transcends language barriers or get in touch with us to see it in action.
