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Limited English-Proficient (LEP) Patients: The Importance of Working with Trained Medical Interpreters to Promote Equitable Healthcare

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Stigma and Prejudice

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Psychiatry ((CCPSY))

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Abstract

Approximately 60 million people in the United States speak a language other than English at home. Half of these individuals report that they speak English less than “very well.” These individuals are considered to have limited English proficiency (LEP). Linguistic barriers can lead to patient misunderstanding of treatment, misdiagnosis, significant delays in treatment, patient’s poor decision-making, ethical compromises (e.g., difficulty obtaining informed consent, medical errors, and patients not being given all available options of care), and rise in the cost of medical care. Overall, linguistic barriers have been associated with lower healthcare access and poorer physical and mental health. Providing medical interpreter services is vital to promoting equitable healthcare and in overcoming the stigma and prejudice that can be associated with being a patient with LEP.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Katia M. Canenguez PhD, EdM

  2. Interpreter Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Anabela M. Nunes MBA

Authors
  1. Katia M. Canenguez PhD, EdM
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  2. Anabela M. Nunes MBA
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Correspondence to Katia M. Canenguez PhD, EdM .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Ranna Parekh

  2. Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Ed W. Childs

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Canenguez, K.M., Nunes, A.M. (2016). Limited English-Proficient (LEP) Patients: The Importance of Working with Trained Medical Interpreters to Promote Equitable Healthcare. In: Parekh, R., Childs, E. (eds) Stigma and Prejudice. Current Clinical Psychiatry. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27580-2_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27580-2_14

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-27578-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-27580-2

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