Developing cultural proficiency and linguistically appropriate services in your practice is the right thing to do, and there is also growing pressure to do so:
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Limited English Proficiency
Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
- The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care (CLAS Standards), issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, have focused greater attention on these issues.
- The Office for Civil Rights’ Policy Guidance on Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination as it Affects Persons with Limited English Proficiency focuses on eliminating language barriers to care.
AAFP members appreciate how addressing language barriers can influence medical outcomes by improving access and the quality of services provided, reducing medical errors and increasing patients’ adherence with care regimens. Not only can providing this appropriate and needed interpretation service to your patients reduce liability and malpractice claims, it can also contribute to the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in health care.
"I Speak" Language Identification Flashcard
(PDF file: 3 pages/125 KB. More information on using PDF files.)
From the Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, the "I Speak" Language Identification Flashcard is written in 38 languages and can be used to identify the language spoken by an individual accessing services provided by federally assisted programs or activities.
Language Line Services
In over-the-phone interpretation, Language Line Services interpreters (for any of 150 languages) listen to your limited English speaking (LEP) customer, analyze the message and accurately convey its original meaning to you or your staff member.
Contact:
"I Speak" Language Identification Flashcard
(PDF file: 3 pages/125 KB. More information on using PDF files.)
From the Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, the "I Speak" Language Identification Flashcard is written in 38 languages and can be used to identify the language spoken by an individual accessing services provided by federally assisted programs or activities.
Language Line Services
In over-the-phone interpretation, Language Line Services interpreters (for any of 150 languages) listen to your limited English speaking (LEP) customer, analyze the message and accurately convey its original meaning to you or your staff member.
Contact:
- Call 1-877-886-3885, to speak with a Language Line Services representative.
- E-mail info@LanguageLine.com.
- Complete a brief online form. Fill out the form now.
CTS LanguageLink
CTS LanguageLink provides trained and qualified interpreters in any language on-site and over the telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their experience in providing interpreters in health care and government settings assures you that your clients or customers receive high quality interpreter service.
Contact the Interpretation Department:
CTS LanguageLink provides trained and qualified interpreters in any language on-site and over the telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their experience in providing interpreters in health care and government settings assures you that your clients or customers receive high quality interpreter service.
Contact the Interpretation Department:
- Call 1-800-208-2620.
- E-mail interpretation@ctslanguagelink.com.
Underserved Populations
Patients Who Need Help Paying for Health Care
National Association of Free Clinics
National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
2010 National Minority Health Month - April
Literacy: Health and Language
National Health Communication Conference: Practical Solutions to the Problems of Low Health Literacy
Limited English Proficiency
