Language Barriers in Healthcare: Challenges and Solutions

The Issue

With a growing population of immigrants in the United States, limited English proficiency hinders access to medical care. Effective communication is essential for patients to describe their symptoms accurately and for healthcare professionals to make informed diagnoses and treatment plans. Even if consent for a physical examination and compliance with diagnostic testing is obtained despite the language barrier, monitoring a patient 24/7 is often not feasible. During these times, patients are instructed on the causes of their symptoms and the necessary care for relief. In surgical cases, understanding post-operative instructions is crucial to avoid infections and complications. Misinterpretation due to language barriers can delay treatment, potentially worsening symptoms and leading to increased healthcare visits and costs. Effective communication between medical professionals and patients is vital for appropriate care and building a strong physician-patient relationship.

In-Person Translator Services

The current solution is the use of translator services. Several organizations provide in-person or remote translators when a patient cannot find a family member or friend to assist them. Although a family member or friend is the ideal option, hired translators are the next best choice. However, this alternative has challenges. Coordinating visits between the patient, translator, and physician can be difficult with in-person translators. For digital translating options, some healthcare organizations struggle to provide language services effectively. Data shows that up to 33% of hospitals cannot efficiently offer translators. When translators are available, both the patient and the medical facility experience longer treatment times and increased costs.

Digital Translator Services

One study highlighted the benefits of free online translating services, specifically Google Translate. Among 39 care team members, 36 (92%) reported that mobile translating tools were helpful when communicating with patients who speak different languages. Despite these benefits, the accuracy of digital translators remains a concern. Another study showed that Google Translate had an overall accuracy of 57.7% when translating ten common medical phrases between English and 26 other languages. Misinterpretations, such as translating “your husband has the opportunity to donate his organs” to “your husband can donate his tools” in Polish, highlight the potential risks. Another study comparing the reliability of translations between English and Spanish versus English and Chinese for diabetes education materials found that accuracy was significantly higher between English and Spanish.

Plan for Improvement

Achieving complete accuracy in translation between all languages is essential before utilizing such tools in critical treatment settings. Although results thus far are promising, further focus on innovative ideas to provide affordable, expedited, and accurate translation options is crucial for better medical outcomes. In a digital age of medicine, translation services will be a major segment in patient engagement care.

References

1. Whiteside, S. (2022, January 9). Healthcare Standards Across Language Barriers. University of Cincinnati. [Link](https://med.uc.edu/landing-pages/uccom-tribunal/com-chronicles/exploration-of-medicine/2022/09/01/healthcare-standards-across-language-barriers#:~:text=Language%20barriers%20in%20healthcare%20lead,not%20share%20a%20native%20language)
2. Al Shamsi H, Almutairi AG, Al Mashrafi S, Al Kalbani T. Implications of Language Barriers for Healthcare: A Systematic Review. Oman Med J. 2020 Apr 30;35(2):e122. doi: 10.5001/omj.2020.40. PMID: 32411417; PMCID: PMC7201401.
3. Albrecht UV, Behrends M, Schmeer R, Matthies HK, von Jan U. Usage of Multilingual Mobile Translation Applications in Clinical Settings. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2013 Apr 23;1(1):e4. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.2268. Erratum in: JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2013 Aug 07;1(2):e19. PMID: 25100677; PMCID: PMC4114476.
4. Patil, S., & Davies, P. (2014, December 15). Use of Google Translate in Medical Communication: Evaluation of Accuracy. The BMJ. [Link](https://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g7392)
5. Chen, X., Acosta, S., & Barry, A. E. (2016). Evaluating the Accuracy of Google Translate for Diabetes Education Material. JMIR Diabetes. [Link](https://diabetes.jmir.org/2016/1/e3/)