Bridging the Language gap: a promising intervention for equitable patient care in diverse societies 

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Lantum Lydia Dzeenyuy, a 21 year old Cameroonian who is currently a third-year medical student in the faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Cameroon. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Imagine a physician struggling to understand a patient’s concerns because of a language barrier. How can they truly provide patient-centered care when communication is a significant obstacle? This scenario highlights a critical challenge in healthcare, language inequity. WHO constitution calls for the highest standards of healthcare to be accessible to all, regardless of background. However, with over 7,000 languages spoken globally, healthcare providers face a challenging task in ensuring effective communication and culturally competent care. This mismatch between the linguistic diversity of patients and the language capabilities of healthcare providers creates a significant barrier to realizing equitable healthcare for all.

How does language barrier result in inequities in healthcare?

Language barriers create significant inequities in healthcare access and quality. When patients struggle to communicate with healthcare providers, it can lead to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and medication errors[1].The consequences of language barriers extend beyond simple communication breakdowns; they create profound health disparities. These communication breakdowns can lead to mistrust, fear of not being understood, and a reluctance to seek care, contributing to a widening gap in health outcomes for marginalized groups, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, or sexual orientation.

How can we mitigate healthcare inequities caused by language barriers?

Several promising interventions can be employed to mitigate language inequities in healthcare, with interpretation services being the gold standard in bridging the language gap[2,3].

Professional interpreters, particularly those trained in healthcare settings, are invaluable for ensuring accurate communication and understanding between providers and patients especially in sensitive areas like mental healthcare, where building trust and rapport are essential. While cost and depersonalization of the patient-physician experience can be a limiting factor, the benefits far outweigh the limitations.

 Utilizing family members as interpreters can be a valuable option in situations where professional services are limited. Family members can provide emotional support, advocate for the patient’s needs, and offer valuable cultural insights. However, it is essential to address potential confidentiality concerns, ensuring the family member understands the importance of maintaining patient privacy and receives appropriate training to effectively convey medical information.

Training staff in minority languages and language matching patients with staff who understand their language can lead to improved communication, higher patient satisfaction, and a sense of cultural sensitivity. 

Technology has also emerged as a valuable tool, with interpreting software approved for healthcare use offering real-time translation bridging communication gaps. It is crucial however to ensure the accuracy of these technologies and provide adequate patient and healthcare provider education to maximize their effectiveness.

Fostering cultural competency through targeted training programs can equip healthcare providers with the skills and awareness needed to interact effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds. By bridging the language gap, we can therefore foster trust, empower individuals, and ensure that everyone irrespective of their background receives high quality healthcare.

References

1. 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.

2. Squires A. Strategies for overcoming language barriers in healthcare. Nurs Manage. 2018 Apr;49(4):20-27. Doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000531166.24481.15. PMID: 29528894; PMCID: PMC8697718.
3. Schouten, BC, et al. Mitigating language and cultural barriers in healthcare communication: Toward a holistic approach. Patient Educ Couns. (2020); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.05.001

About the author

Lantum Lydia Dzeenyuy is a 21 year old Cameroonian who is currently a third-year medical student in the faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Cameroon. She aspires to not only be a medical doctor but to be a scientific researcher one day.