DBQ Response

Initial response instructions were: Discuss how the healthcare provider could have used plain language and teach back to improve communication across cultures and to check for understanding. 

Classmate Grace’s response

Language Access

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As a health care provider, it is important to make sure that communication is open, and that patients understand the health information which is being discussed.  Being able to use a variety of different tools to improve communication will go a long way.  Using interpreters is one way to accomplish this goal.  Interpreters can be used in situations where a patient does not understand English, the interpreter would be able to communicate and act as a go between for both the patient and the doctor.  Another way to accomplish this goal is through language access services.  Offering language access services throughout medical centers will help to improve communication and patient safety.  “Communication problems increase if language barriers are present, and if proper language support is not available, the risk of patient safety events greatly increases.  Research suggests that Limited—English-Proficient (LEP) patients are more likely than English-Speaking (ES) patients to experience safety events caused by communication errors”.1  Offering a variety of different language services would be beneficial to the patient as well as the provider, to  be sure that instructions are understood.

References:

1. Why Language Access is Crucial to Patient Centered Care. Telelanguage Blog. Retrieved from: http://www.telelanguage.com. Accessed: March 30th, 2018

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