Course Summary

For many non-English speaking persons, the national goal of access to quality healthcare is unachieved, and health disparities prevail. Many of these individuals speak Spanish as a primary language, and the Hispanic or Latino population is the largest minority group in the United States. Many healthcare organizations have resources for non-English speaking patients and families, including a telephone interpretation service, mobile phone online app, or having a medical interpreter available. A medical interpreter is ideal, although not all organizations have them available at all times. Family members are a helpful resource for individuals who need an interpreter to understand a medical procedure or condition.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Growth of Spanish-speaking U.S. Populations
  • Impact of Language on Healthcare Services
  • Barriers to Healthcare for LEP People
    • Systemic Barriers
    • Cultural and Communication Barriers
  • Governmental Requirements for LEP Patients
  • Preventing Disparities in Healthcare
    • Good Communication
    • Interpreter Services
    • Media and Technology
    • Interpreter Phone Systems
    • Translation Apps
    • Sight Translation
    • Translations Versus Interpretations
    • Sign Language for Hearing-Impaired Patients
  • Case Scenario: LEP Female, Hispanic Patient
  • Basic Interview: Questions and Engagement
  • Basic Spanish Phrases and/or Questions
  • Summary

Author

Marilyn Lajoie, MD, DC, CCSP

Dr. Marilyn Lajoie obtained her medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine in 1999, Her residency began with one year of Anatomical and Surgical Pathology at Orlando Regional Medical Center, before transferring within the same post-graduate residency program to Internal Medicine. Upon completion of residency, she went into private practice in Orlando, where she specialized in Internal Medicine, Sports Medicine and Rehab, as well as acute and chronic pain management. Before becoming a medical doctor, she had practiced as a Chiropractic Physician, graduating from New York Chiropractic College in 1980, practicing initially on Long Island, N.Y., before moving to Florida where she had a successful chiropractic practice and physical rehabilitation center, and gained recognition as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician. Dr. Lajoie was also the Director of Physical Therapy at Horizon Hospital, a residential and outpatient psychiatric hospital, and later, continued in the same capacity at Horizon’s sister psychiatric hospital in Brooksville, Florida. Dr. Lajoie maintained her chiropractic license and continued to practice both Internal Medicine and Chiropractic throughout private practice, until moving to the Veterans Healthcare System in 2014. Continuing in both fields, she became the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Montana VA, where she completed her service in 2021. Dr. Lajoie now works predominantly in telemedicine, and in an Expert Witness capacity for both medical and chiropractic cases. Still living in Montana, she enjoys being able to treat not only the rural areas of the state through this technology, but also patients across the US where she maintains multiple active state licenses. She and her husband also own a llama ranch with over thirty llamas that are hand selected for rare genetics. At the llama ranch, the public is invited to come and visit to learn about these elegant creatures, and to see ranch life firsthand – llama style! Dr. Lajoie and her husband have six adult children, as well as seven dogs.