Abstract
Breaking down language barriers through interpreter assistance will result in clear and concise conversations between medical providers. This will improve overall satisfaction and outcomes in patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and health literacy. According to In Healthy People 2020, health disparities in access to health information, services, and technology can result in lower usage rates of preventative care, decreased chronic disease management, higher rates of hospitalization, and poorer reported overall health status. In this article, current literature was reviewed to determine the effect of English proficiency on the delivery of healthcare to Spanish-speaking patients in emergency department (ED) settings. Our results conclude that a discrepancy exists in the care provided for limited English proficiency patients due to their inability to fully understand discharge instructions, return for follow-ups, and correctly take medications as prescribed.
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Lost In Translation: A Literature Review of Professional Interpreter Utilization in the Emergency Department
Breaking down language barriers through interpreter assistance will result in clear and concise conversations between medical providers. This will improve overall satisfaction and outcomes in patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and health literacy. According to In Healthy People 2020, health disparities in access to health information, services, and technology can result in lower usage rates of preventative care, decreased chronic disease management, higher rates of hospitalization, and poorer reported overall health status. In this article, current literature was reviewed to determine the effect of English proficiency on the delivery of healthcare to Spanish-speaking patients in emergency department (ED) settings. Our results conclude that a discrepancy exists in the care provided for limited English proficiency patients due to their inability to fully understand discharge instructions, return for follow-ups, and correctly take medications as prescribed.