Access to Linguistically Appropriate Information for Blood and Marrow Transplant Patients: Results from Transplant Center Staff Survey
- 9 August 2018
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Journal of Cancer Education
- Vol. 34 (5), 1031-1037
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1407-8
Abstract
Blood or marrow transplant (BMT) is a potentially curative treatment for numerous cancers and non-malignant disorders. BMT is a resource-intense treatment process, requiring patients to comprehend difficult health information and navigate a complex healthcare system. Linguistic and cultural barriers create additional challenges for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) who may need translated information and interpretive services to make an informed decision about treatment. To identify information needs and gaps in language services for BMT patients with LEP, the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP)/Be The Match® administered a cross-sectional, web-based survey to 139 transplant centers (TCs) across the United States (U.S.). The survey yielded a 59% response rate. Findings show a significant need for translated patient education materials, especially in Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic, and practice gaps in the use of appropriate interpreters. Nearly one third of respondents indicated using family and friends to interpret for patients. The inability to locate educational resources in a specific language, lack of available bilingual staff, lack of a formal, centralized tracking system, and outdated tracking systems also pose significant barriers to meeting the language needs of BMT patients with LEP.Keywords
This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit:
- Adherence to Newly Prescribed Diabetes Medications Among Insured Latino and White Patients With DiabetesJAMA Internal Medicine, 2017
- Promoting quality care in patients with cancer with limited English proficiency: perspectives of medical interpretersPsycho‐Oncology, 2016
- The Limited English Proficiency Patient Family Advocate RoleJournal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 2015
- Indications for Autologous and Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Guidelines from the American Society for Blood and Marrow TransplantationTransplantation and Cellular Therapy, 2015
- Not Just “Getting by”: Factors Influencing Providers’ Choice of InterpretersJournal of General Internal Medicine, 2014
- The influence of limited English proficiency on outcome in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancerPatient Education and Counseling, 2014
- Language Barriers and Understanding of Hospital Discharge InstructionsMedical Care, 2012
- The influence of English proficiency on access to careEthnicity & Health, 2009
- Language proficiency and adverse events in US hospitals: a pilot studyInternational Journal for Quality in Health Care, 2007
- Language Barriers to Health Care in the United StatesThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2006