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Open to Interpretation: Design Thinking, Role-Reversal Simulation, Building Empathy in Language-Discordant Care
Jason G Langenfeld1, Heather K Nichols, Wesley G Zeger
1Department of Emergency Medicine (J.G.L., H.K.N., W.G.Z., T.J.W.), Department of Emergency Medicine/Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center (E.R.L.); and University of Nebraska at Omaha (A.M.M., C.F.E., I.S.W., E.R.S., K.K.B.), Omaha, NE.
Healthcare linguistic barriers, especially in emergency medicine, hinder effective patient care. A role-reversal simulation improved provider understanding of these challenges and patient experiences.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Communication
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Linguistic barriers significantly impede effective healthcare delivery.
- Miscommunication in emergency medicine (EM) due to language differences can have severe consequences for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify innovative solutions for improving healthcare provider understanding of linguistic barriers' impact on patient care.
- To develop and implement an educational tool addressing challenges in language-discordant patient encounters.
Main Methods:
- Utilized design thinking principles through a partnership between undergraduate students and EM faculty.
- Conducted empathy interviews with patients and providers to assess care disparities.
- Developed and implemented a preferred-language role-reversal simulation exercise.
Main Results:
- The role-reversal simulation effectively educated providers on caring for language-discordant patients.
- Evaluations revealed provider confidence issues with existing communication options.
- Identified a need for enhanced technology and resources to overcome communication barriers.
Conclusions:
- Simulation exercises are valuable for exploring the impact of language barriers on patient experience.
- Further efforts are crucial to improve the quality of patient care when language barriers exist.
- Addressing linguistic barriers is essential for equitable and effective healthcare delivery.
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