Utilization and perceptions of language assistance services by medical trainees: a pathway to language certification

Tucker Avra; Daniel Cordova; Breena Taira; Jesus R. Torres; Tucker Avra; Daniel Cordova; Breena Taira; Jesus R. Torres

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2024043

AIMS Public Health

2024, Volume 11, Issue 3: 850-860. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024043

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Research article

Utilization and perceptions of language assistance services by medical trainees: a pathway to language certification

1.
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
2.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, CA, USA
3.
Department of Emergency Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Received: 06 April 2024 Revised: 19 April 2024 Accepted: 22 April 2024 Published: 03 July 2024

Background
Access to language assistance is a patient's right under federal law. Despite this, underuse of language services persists.
Objective
The aim of this study was to explore the interest in obtaining bilingual certification and to describe perspectives on language services by resident physicians.
Methods
Between May and August 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of residents at a public, urban hospital serving mostly patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). We assessed resident perspectives on language services, exposure to language-related trainings, non-English language (NEL) skills, and interest in bilingual certification.
Results
A total of 214 residents of 289 completed the survey (a 74% response rate). Of the 95 residents who used their NEL for patient care, 65 (68%) would be interested in bilingual certification. Sixty-nine (33%), 65 (31%), and 95 (45%) residents disagreed or strongly disagreed with being satisfied with the language services available, convenience, and sufficient equipment, respectively. Furthermore, 28 (13%) disagreed or strongly disagreed that they could achieve bi-directional communication with LEP patients.
Conclusions
Over a quarter of the residents expressed interest in bilingual certification and were likely to pass the certification exam. Many reported using their own NEL skills without certification and held negative views on services and trainings.
- language services,
- interpreter access,
- language justice,
- health disparities,
- health equity,
- graduate medical education
Citation: Tucker Avra, Daniel Cordova, Breena Taira, Jesus R. Torres. Utilization and perceptions of language assistance services by medical trainees: a pathway to language certification[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2024, 11(3): 850-860. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024043

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Abstract

Background

Access to language assistance is a patient's right under federal law. Despite this, underuse of language services persists.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the interest in obtaining bilingual certification and to describe perspectives on language services by resident physicians.

Methods

Between May and August 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of residents at a public, urban hospital serving mostly patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). We assessed resident perspectives on language services, exposure to language-related trainings, non-English language (NEL) skills, and interest in bilingual certification.

Results

A total of 214 residents of 289 completed the survey (a 74% response rate). Of the 95 residents who used their NEL for patient care, 65 (68%) would be interested in bilingual certification. Sixty-nine (33%), 65 (31%), and 95 (45%) residents disagreed or strongly disagreed with being satisfied with the language services available, convenience, and sufficient equipment, respectively. Furthermore, 28 (13%) disagreed or strongly disagreed that they could achieve bi-directional communication with LEP patients.

Conclusions

Over a quarter of the residents expressed interest in bilingual certification and were likely to pass the certification exam. Many reported using their own NEL skills without certification and held negative views on services and trainings.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the residents for participating in this survey and for all of the advocates that helped distribute the survey so that they could obtain these results.

Conflict of interest

All authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in this paper.

References

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