Educating Clinicians to Improve Telemedicine Access for Patients with Limited English Proficiency

Challenges

Karol Hardin¹  Tiffany M. Shin²  Pilar Ortega³ 

[1] Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA;Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA;Departments of Medical Education and Emergency Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;

关键词: telemedicine;    language barriers;    patient-doctor communication;    limited English proficiency;    health disparities;    education;   

DOI  :  10.3390/challe12020034

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the rapid incorporation of telemedicine into healthcare systems, resulting in increased access challenges for patients in the United States with limited English proficiency (LEP). Non-English-language speakers face challenges with telemedicine that magnify pre-existing barriers to language-appropriate care, such as difficulty accessing professional medical interpreters and navigating both electronic health information and online patient portals. Improved medical education on telehealth would increase equitable care for linguistic minorities. Medical education targeting telehealth care delivery should include clinician instruction on working with interpreters in telehealth contexts, increasing patient access to telehealth resources, and addressing patients’ language needs for telemedicine.

【 授权许可】

Unknown