Over 60 million people in the U.S. identify as Hispanic or Latino. Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th-October 15th) gives us an opportunity to reflect on the ways we can be sure we are serving this community as healthcare professionals.
Here at Canopy, we are committed to breaking down the linguistic and cultural barriers that can lead to health and treatment disparities.
There are a lot of ways to do this! In this post, we discuss three ways to build rapport with your Spanish-speaking patients and deliver a higher caliber of care.
1. Recognize Linguistic and Cultural Diversity
Spanish is the most widely spoken language other than English in the U.S. But not everyone speaks Spanish the same way! And not everyone with Hispanic or Latino heritage speaks Spanish. Many people have been discouraged from speaking Spanish and may only speak English. At the same time, dozens of indigenous languages are also spoken by immigrants from Latin America. It is important to remember that the U.S. Hispanic and Latino population is extremely diverse. When serving diverse patients, it is best to avoid assumptions about their backgrounds. Instead, ask them what language they prefer to communicate in. CanopyLearn medical Spanish online courses teach healthcare professionals the cultural differences among Spanish-speaking countries to help learners improve their cultural competency and better communicate with their Spanish-speaking patients.
2. Advance Your Medical Spanish Proficiency
Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) who have encounters with bilingual clinicians are likely to be much more satisfied with their hospital experience. Even saying hello in a patient's native language can put them at ease and allow for a more personal healthcare experience. Learning a second language typically exposes you to aspects of that culture as well, which can help you interact with patients. The CanopyLearn medical Spanish online courses teach medical terminology in Spanish in addition to Spanish language basics such as grammar and pronunciation through a large variety of interactive exercises. If you've already taken CanopyLearn Medical Spanish, you can take the next step and certify your ability to speak Spanish with patients through the CanopyCredential™ test.
3. Make Sure Patients Receive Language Access Services
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act clearly states that covered hospitals and healthcare providers must offer free, accurate, and timely language assistance services to individuals with limited English proficiency. Unfortunately, language barriers still persist, and there is a shortage of qualified interpreters, resulting in a range of health disparities as well as increased costs for providers. It is important to make sure that individuals providing language assistance are qualified and that services are offered in the appropriate language and dialect. Although there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for providing language services, institutions can and should invest in training and certifying qualified bilingual staff who can treat patients in Spanish. Be sure patients are aware of the availability of language assistance services--clearly and in their preferred language, verbally and in writing. You can also improve the patient experience by providing easy-to-understand print and multimedia materials and signage in the languages commonly used by the populations in the service area. The goal is always clear: to offer high-quality language services that help patients fully understand their medical situation, treatment options, and prescribed medication. The new CanopyCompliance™ training module helps healthcare professionals understand the best practices and regulatory requirements related to caring for LEP patients.
Want to bring medical Spanish to your institution? Click here to learn more.
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