The language and culture barrier between English-speaking medical personnel and Spanish-speaking patients
Abstract
The growth of the Spanish-speaking population in Texas can cause barriers between many English-speaking medical personnel and Spanish-speaking patients. This research study will determine if a language barrier, considered in the context of two different cultures, does exist, and what are the major factors contributing to this barrier between the English-speaking medical personnel and Spanish-speaking patients at the Family Medicine Center, Bryan, Texas. In addition, the study will determine if an awareness of and response to these factors and any suggestions could diminish the language barrier. Patients at the clinic were given an anonymous, written survey at the time of check-in at the waiting room, and they were asked to return the completed survey after the doctor visit. One hundred and twenty-five patients completed surveys. Doctors and nurses also filled out written surveys. The completed were returned at the clinic check-out station. The research study found that the Spanish-speaking patients were overall less satisfied with their visit compared to English-speakers. Doctor and nurse communication and how well the doctor understood what the patient needed were also affected because of the patient's language. However, the language barrier was not significant enough to cause the patient to not receive the treatment they came to receive or to not return to the clinic for a future visit. All of the medical personnel were able to communicate well with the English-speakers, and they varied in their responses as to how they communicate with the Spanish-speakers. The lack of a diverse cultural medical personnel population that reflects the culture of the patient population is a factor contributing to the language barrier. Suggestions to diminish the language barrier are to higher a more diverse medical staff, train nurses to serve as medical interpreters, and require current medical personnel to take a Spanish language class. There was not enough time in the research study to determine if a response to these suggestions would diminish the language and culture barrier.
Description
Due to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to digital@library.tamu.edu, referencing the URI of the item.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 30-31).
Citation
Barras, Brian James (2004). The language and culture barrier between English-speaking medical personnel and Spanish-speaking patients. Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2004 -Fellows -Thesis -B377.