Language Access Services



The Role of Language Access Services for Limited English Proficiency Latinos in Improving Health Outcomes in Primary Care

Introduction

There are a number of Latin American immigrants in the United States. The immigrants are widely dispersed in the United States. Majority of these immigrants do not speak proficient immigrants and because of this, healthcare providers face lots of problems in communication with these patients where the majority patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The barriers of language create a crucial and negative effect on health and healthcare which comprises of lower likelihood of having a usual source of care, increased risk of drug complications, lower health status, greater resource utilization for diagnostic testing, and lower rates of receipt of preventive health services (Mateo, 2001). The patients of foreign languages and with LEP report that they are not satisfied with care, not good and effective communication with their health providers, worst access to care, and worst customer service received from managed care organizations as compared to their English-speaking equivalents. For patients with LEP, it is essential that they are provided with language access services within the settings of healthcare to improve their healthcare access and quality of care. The language access services offered to LEP include the availability of translated materials, use of interpreters, use of signage, and information provided to LEP patients that they have the right to receive these services without any costs (Wu, 2007).

Statement of problem

The problem statement of this research paper is to access the role of language services for LEP patients to improve their health outcomes within the primary care. The overall concern is to improve the healthcare for LEP patients within United States, improve the provision of services of language access, and improve the LEP perception of healthcare settings. The problem affects both the health of LEP patients and healthcare sector of United States. Therefore, it is important that the barriers must be removed which comes in the way of LEP patients' health.

Gaps in the literature regarding the topic

There are several gaps found in the literature related to this topic. There has been scarce study done on the implementation and utilization for language assistance in the primary care settings. It is recommended that the barriers in the provision of language services in primary care mentioned in the literature of the studies must be removed. One such action in removal of barriers is clinician training curricula, ...