Patient-Provider Communication Disparities by Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Trends from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2006-2015. - PubMed - NCBI

Patient-Provider Communication Disparities by Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Trends from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2006-2015. - PubMed - NCBI

Clinicians’ Communication With Patients With Limited English Proficiency Improving

Communication between clinicians and patients with limited English proficiency appears to be improving, according to a new AHRQ study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Using data from AHRQ’s Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, researchers reviewed a sample of more than 27,000 U.S. residents studied over 10 years, starting in 2006. They found that starting in 2010, patient-provider communication improved for individuals whose English proficiency was limited, and it narrowed or remained the same for patients who spoke other languages. Specifically, between 2006 and 2010, the percent of limited English-proficient individuals reporting that their provider explained things clearly declined by, on average, 1.4 percentage points per year; after 2010, it increased by 3.0 percentage points per year. However, despite the improvement, the researchers said language and comprehension disparities remain a formidable challenge. Access the abstract. 

Clinicians’ Communication With Patients With Limited English Proficiency Improving

Communication between clinicians and patients with limited English proficiency appears to be improving, according to a new AHRQ study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Using data from AHRQ’s Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, researchers reviewed a sample of more than 27,000 U.S. residents studied over 10 years, starting in 2006. They found that starting in 2010, patient-provider communication improved for individuals whose English proficiency was limited, and it narrowed or remained the same for patients who spoke other languages. Specifically, between 2006 and 2010, the percent of limited English-proficient individuals reporting that their provider explained things clearly declined by, on average, 1.4 percentage points per year; after 2010, it increased by 3.0 percentage points per year. However, despite the improvement, the researchers said language and comprehension disparities remain a formidable challenge. Access the abstract.