Authors

  1. Lindsay, Julie PhD, RN
  2. Patel, Stephanie DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC

Article Content

Patients and families with language barriers, especially those with limited English proficiency (LEP), may be at risk of adverse health care events.1 Safety risks including medication errors, readmission for the same health care problems, and increased length of hospital stay are common in patients with LEP.2 Students are taught diversity and cultural competence, but there may be limited discussion on how communication issues with patients and families with LEP can impact care. We designed a simulation for students to learn the importance of proper translation. Students cared for a child with asthma and her Spanish-speaking mother. They requested an interpreter, but one was not available. Students had to identify alternative forms of communication including Google translation, and phone and computer translation. They followed the patient from the clinic, emergency room, pediatric medical unit, and pediatric intensive care unit using translation resources including technology and interpreters. Student gained an understanding of working with the interpreter and navigating this process. This simulation addressed population health competencies of communication, collaboration, and social determinants of health.

 

References

 

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/culture.html. Accessed November 22, 2019. [Context Link]

 

2. De Moissac D, Bowen S. Impact of language barriers on quality of care and patient safety for official language minority francophones in Canada. J Patient Exp. 2019;6(1):24-32. doi:. [Context Link]