“Means of Addressing Language Barriers: Current Practice and Available Resources” Wilson-Stronks A, Galvez E, Hasnain-Wynia R, & Jacobs E (Manuscript in Preparation)
This scholarly article will examine physician means of communication with non-English speaking patients in a sample of 56 hospitals. Using a hypothetical non-English speaking patient, researchers asked physicians how they would provide care. Findings provide insight into the language services used by some physicians and why these services are preferred. Why are less effective means of communication used even when language services are available?
“Communication with Communication-Vulnerable Patients: The Missing Link in the Patient Safety Initiative” Patak L, Wilson-Stronks A, Kleinpell R, Happ MB, Costello J, & Person C (Manuscript in Preparation)
Poor patient-provider communication persists despite improved standards across all providers that prioritize the patient’s needs. Patient outcomes are substantially dependent upon a patient’s ability to participate in their care. While hospitalized, many patients are vulnerable to the extent that they are unable to establish or maintain effective communication and consequently are subjected to unsafe practice, poor education, and compromised outcomes. Weaknesses which perpetuate this alarming and urgent matter range from poor health care standards and regulations to poor education, inadequate policies and procedures, lack of transparency and lack of health care professional collaboration in the form of multidisciplinary care teams that include experts trained to resolve such matters. This paper will examine patient-provider communication strategies that are currently in place. Additionally, some new strategies will be explored, which will complement existing practices and/or fill remaining gaps.
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