Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Language Barriers
Language Barriers
Daniel Scruggs
NUR 3113
November 4, 2016
Over the past several decades, the population of the United States has seen an exponential
increase in immigrant populations. This increase can be largely be attributed to the influx of
Latinos coming from Latin America and crossing the border into the United States. Many of the
families and individuals make the long and sometimes dangerous journey to the United States,
all in seeking the pursuit of a better life. In many cases it can be an improvement, but in some
regards the life in the United States is not as glamorous as they had foreseen.
Many are met with massive struggles. Many are living a life under the radar and hiding
from the government due to entering the country illegally. Some carry financial burdens, and it
is extremely difficult to assimilate into a new country and new culture without baring the stigma
of being a foreigner. For much of the Latino community in the United States, this is their life.
Many immigrants work countless hours, under harsh conditions, while receiving low wages.
Due to many lacking any form of higher education, their socio-economic status, and
occupational hazards, finding quality healthcare can be difficult. For these individuals, there is
not much assistance from the community to help with their medical needs.
Access to healthcare can be difficult for a foreigner in any country. Having a language
barrier is an extremely difficult obstacle to overcome, and takes many years to learn and master a
new language. Verbal communication is not the only limitation. Non-verbal communication
and learning a culture’s mannerisms can be an even more challenging part of cultural
assimilation. This can be difficult, especially for those without formal instruction on cultural
LANGUAGE BARRIERS WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY 3
norms of the society. However it is imperative to learn if one hopes to assimilate and continue to
These language and transcultural barriers have even shaped the way nurses preform their
tasks in the hospitals, clinics, and offices. Nurses and all medical professionals alike, use scales
to score patients, such as a pain scale, severity of condition, and a Schmid or Braden scale. The
Nursing Activity Score (NAS) has been used in critical care nursing, and now has been translated
into Spanish. By using the scale in a patient’s native language it will help them to understand
and receive a more accurate depiction of how their care is being or needs to be addressed. When
a physician or nurses speaks to the patient to gather information, by using the Spanish translated
version the patient has a better understanding of the material (Arias-Rivera et al, 2013). It is
imperative to accommodate immigrants of all langauges in the best possible manner to ensure
The Unites States Department of Health and Human Services is trying to combat this
inequality within its borders. Websites can be translated with the click of a button, flyers,
pamphlets, and other forms of literature are available in various different languages. Hospitals
and other healthcare facilities have hired extra staff that are proficient in other languages and can
communicate between the patient and physician. Many of these institutions also have the “Blue
Phones” provided by Cyracom Language Solutions. These services have been implemented by
healthcare institutions and have helped improve the quality of care for all immigrants in the
United States. It is just one way that society is attempting to reduce the disparities that separate
ethnic groups.
LANGUAGE BARRIERS WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY 4
As society becomes more interconnected, the healthcare system must progress as well.
Upon entering the new century, Millennium Developmental Goals we set. These series of goals
we listed to reduce global poverty and inequalities. They focus on decreasing child and maternal
mortality, as well as education to improve healthcare and combat disease. Today the human race
is more educated than ever. The Latino community has begun campaigns to fight HIV/AIDS,
communities are looking to improve gender equality. “The Latino population represents the
nation’s largest ethnic minority, numbering over 54 million. In accordance with other ethnic
minorities, Latinos face stark disparities in health and health literacy, influenced by poverty,
institutional racism, and linguistic barriers, among other factors” (Chaet, Morshedi, Wells,
Barnes, & Valdez, 2016). Today the people on this Earth are more integrated across the globe
than ever before. These hospital programs give the communities the education and resources to
As these immigrant populations continue to rise it is no surprise that the need for
bilingual nurses and other medical professionals will increase. “With an increase in migration
and mobility of people across the world, the likelihood of experiencing language barriers while
providing and receiving care is high. Eliminating language barriers is a crucial step in providing
culturally competent and patient-centered care” (Ali & Johnson, 2016). Institutions have been
outfitted with language translation and interpretation devices, such as the previously mentioned
phones provide by Cyracom Language Solutions. Across the nation offices and hospitals have
already started printing medical literature in both English and Spanish. Some are even
translating into a variety of other languages trying to accommodate for their direct immigrant
populations.
LANGUAGE BARRIERS WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY 5
When using providers that are proficient in Spanish, the patient can relax. They know
that their complaints are being directly transmitted to the physician without the possibility of
confusion. When the provider speaks with the patient, it can put the patient at ease and take
away any anxiety the patient may be experiencing. The patient does not have to worry about
quality of care. They know that their needs will be met, due to the fact that they have established
a direct route of verbal communication with the bilingual provider. There may be other factors
that will determine the patient’s quality of care, however a language barrier is not one of them
(Ali & Johnson, 2016). By breaking through the barrier the patient and provider have both
With the influx of Spanish speaking immigrants, the medical industry has been forced to
incorporate the Spanish language into their scales and charts for assessing patients. Nurses and
doctors are often encouraged to take classes that teach basic medical terminology in Spanish.
These classes teach simple words and commonly used phrases, diagnosis, and conditions within
healthcare along with major parts of the human body. Wherever an individual may go in the
healthcare system, Spanish will always be there. In today’s modernization of the globe,
immigrants are pouring into the United States at extraordinary rates. All who come bring their
Conclusion
It is imperative that there be made available resources for those who do not speak the
English language as a primary form of communication. These people need to receive quality
healthcare. As the nation’s largest minority grows, the United States government needs to
expedite the process of formulating software to ease their access to healthcare. Their lives are
important and should receive the same quality of care as all citizens.
LANGUAGE BARRIERS WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY 6
As the human race continues to move deeper into the twenty-first century, humanity
realizes that the world is flat. Society has become more interconnected than ever before.
Through the advances of technology, the world has become closer and all ethnic groups can be
found in any given region of the world. In the United States there is a large amount of Latino
immigrants. With an increase within recent years, there is a high demand for the Spanish
the healthcare system can break through the hindrance of language barriers and improve
References
Ali, P. A., Johnson, S. (2016). Speaking my patient's language: bilingual nurses' perspective
about provision of language concordant care to patients with limited English proficiency.
Journal of Advanced Nursing. Retrieved October 29, 2016, from US National Library of
Medicine.
Medicine.
Chaet, A. V., Morshedi, B., Wells, K., Barnes, L., & Valdez, R. (2016). Spanish-language
Medical Internet Research, 18(8). Retrieved October 22, 2016, from US National Library
of Medicine.
Running Head: LANGUAGE BARRIERS WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY 1
Explore current nursing issues, policies, and research related to reducing health disparities in underserved populations
Examine the literature to identify evidence-based interventions designed to reduce health disparities
Follow the rubric diligently to answer all aspects and components of your paper to achieve total points. Ensure the body of your paper
is 3 to 5 pages excluding the face and reference pages. Students are required to reference at least 3 journal articles from the last 5
years, in addition to the use of your text book and websites.
Criteria Score
Social The writer Identifies and reflects on The writer identifies the The writer mentions
Determinants the social determinants of health as social determinants of the social
of Health depicted in the literature. health. determinants of
The writer discusses in detail the The writer provides minimal health without
relationship between social health discussion relating health discussing its
LANGUAGE BARRIERS WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY 9
Evidence- The writer identifies evidence-based The writer identifies The writer mentions
based interventions addressing the health evidence-based evidence-based
Interventions needs of the identified vulnerable interventions addressing interventions without
population. health needs in general. linking them to the
addressing
The writer states and relates the The writer speaks to MDG’s identified vulnerable
Health Needs significance of meeting the related with no relation to the population and
MDG’s in improving health outcomes identified vulnerable depicts a lack of
for the identified vulnerable population. knowledge
population. regarding MDG’s.
Section 4 15 10 5 Worth 15 points total
Global The writer identifies and reflects on The writer mentions but The writer mentions
Approach in two global approaches in eradicating provides minimal reflection but omits reflection
Addressing barriers to health. on one or two global on one global
The writer relates the significance of approaches in eradicating approach in
“Health for barriers and promoting eradicating barriers
eradicating the chosen health
All” barriers in promoting optimal health health for all. and promoting
for all. health for all.
Writing and The paper is without grammatical A few spelling and/or The paper shows
Presentation and spelling errors. APA format is grammatical errors noted. little or no evidence
evident. Writer makes an attempt at of APA format.
APA format. Writer has
numerous errors.
There is no
evidence of
proofreading.
TOTAL PTS:
LANGUAGE BARRIERS WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY 10
**Assignments turned in late will be graded as above and then have point deduction taken per syllabus.