Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
05:31
Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task
Published on: February 26, 2020
'Families are Intimidated…Really Confused…Afraid': Healthcare Service Disparities for Spanish-Speaking Patients
Preston Robert Osborn1, Jaclyn Kirsch2, Alicia Rueda-Acedo3
1University of Minnesota, Duluth, Duluth, USA. posborn@d.umn.edu.
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Healthcare systems often deprioritize medical interpretation services, negatively impacting Spanish-speaking patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Systemic changes are needed to improve care quality and reduce health disparities.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Sociology of Health & Illness
- Medical Communication
Background:
- Spanish-speaking populations are growing in the U.S.
- Limited English proficiency (LEP) patients face healthcare barriers
- Medical interpreters are crucial for bridging language gaps
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine medical interpreters' experiences using a social determinant of health (SDoH) framework
- Identify opportunities to improve care for Spanish-speaking patients
- Analyze systemic factors affecting interpretation services
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving 12 medical interpreters in the southwestern U.S.
- Virtual interviews recorded and transcribed
- Reflexive thematic analysis of participant narratives
Main Results:
- Lack of prioritization of interpretation services
- Rushed clinical interactions impacting patient understanding
- Systemic bias and failure to center patient needs
- Interconnected themes affecting patient experience and outcomes
Conclusions:
- Healthcare systems must prioritize and integrate interpretation services
- Increase time for interpreted encounters and foster provider-interpreter collaboration
- Policy and training are needed for culturally responsive care and reimbursement
Related Concept Videos
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:30Barriers to Effective Communication I
A communication barrier is any distortion or interruption during a conversation, resulting in miscommunication of the message. A good communicator should know these barriers and continuously check for the listener's understanding by obtaining feedback.
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this barrier...
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this barrier...
01:21Health Literacy
Health literacy is an individual's or a community's capacity to comprehend, receive, read, and use relevant healthcare information and services. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2018) defines health literacy as the cognitive and social skills that determine the ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health. As a result, the WHO helps individuals manage long-term health concerns, participate in preventative programs,...
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care.
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution itself.
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution itself.
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care. Here are a few more healthcare professionals.
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
01:13Patient-centered Care
Patient-centered care involves delivering care beyond inpatient hospitalization. Reflective practice can enhance a patient-centered approach. Reflective practice is a process of reasoning that considers all aspects of the present situation, including practicalities, learning from personal practice, and consideration of patient needs. Patients appreciate care decisions made while considering their input. Involving the patient in their care provides the patient with a sense of contribution rather...