Diversity in Healthcare: Spanish-Speaking Patients with Limited English Proficiency

Course Summary

Population statistics in the United States indicate that the number of Spanish-speaking individuals in this country are growing. Many of these individuals are not proficient in English. In the United States, English language and communication skills factor into whether a patient will experience positive outcomes when receiving healthcare services, beginning with access to care, treatment, adherence, and followup. Language barriers for Hispanics who are not proficient in English are partly responsible for disparities in the healthcare services, leading to inequities in health for Hispanic populations. Taking reasonable steps to remove barriers is required under federal law when federal aid is involved, as well as under the laws of some states. Adequate language skills of healthcare personnel or language interpretation or translation technologies are possible ways health equity can be attained across all patient populations.