Partnering with primary care providers to improve access for persons with limited English proficiency

Over the last ten years immigrants have been moving in great numbers to areas not traditionally associated with large immigrant communities. The area that has experienced the most rapid and dramatic influx has been the Southeast United States. In these areas, health care professionals find themselves providing care for increasing numbers of people from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. A survey of primary health care providers in this area uncovered a lack of awareness regarding their role and responsibilities with regard to providing linguistically competent care. They also lacked information on how to implement changes in their own practices to decrease language barriers to access and quality of care.

In order to address these needs, an online module was developed that provides an overview of the impact of language disparity in health care delivery and information on how to plan and implement policies to improve outcomes for the population of persons with limited English proficiency. The module is designed for administrative staff, but that could be easily adapted for continuing professional education. This formalized instruction allows for the improved ability of health care professionals to provide linguistically competent care to this increasingly diverse society.