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Ensuring access to healthcare for all is an important goal in the United States. Language access services are a key part of making healthcare accessible for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Language access services help bridge the language divide between individuals and medical providers by providing medical communication in a language the patient can understand.
What are language access services?
Language access services provide an effective way for medical providers and individuals speaking different languages to communicate more effectively and ensure better health outcomes. Language access services can include teleinterpreting, in-person interpreting, translation services, bilingual providers, and language access technology.
Benefits of language access services
Bridging the language divide is beneficial for both individuals and providers. Language access services can help reduce misunderstandings between medical providers and individuals due to language barriers, which can lead to better health outcomes. In addition, language access services can help reduce provider and patient stress, improve patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs by minimizing misinterpretations and misdiagnoses.
Overcoming Barriers to Effective Language Access Services
In order for language access services to be effective, there must be a recognition of the need for language access services. Providers and organizations must be aware of the language diversity of their patient population and make sure that language access services are available upon request. In addition, providers must be adequately trained to use language access services and understand how to select the appropriate language access services for each patient encounter.
Conclusion
Language access services can help bridge the language divide between individuals and medical providers, ensuring better health outcomes and improved patient satisfaction. To ensure that language access services are effective, providers and organizations must recognize the need for language access services and be adequately trained to use services appropriately.
Keywords: language access services, language access technology, teleinterpreting, translation services, bilingual providers, limited English proficiency (LEP)