Language Equity
Overview
Here at CSPH, our language equity team, led by Dr. Gezzer Ortega MD MPH, is focused on addressing language access and barriers for patients with limited English proficiency. One of our major projects is the EQUIP study, which aims at incorporating digital interpreter services into the hands of patients and providers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Over 27 million people in the U.S., 8.7% of the U.S. population, speak English “less than very well.” In Boston, this percentage is much higher, with 17.4% of residents speaking English “less than very well.”
Language barriers, where providers and patients speak different languages can lead to worse outcomes and experiences.
Based on published research, patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) may have:
- Decreased understanding of the disease and treatment options
- Decreased ability to participate in shared decision making
- Worse satisfaction with care
- Worse medication understanding
- Delayed presentation for treatment diseases
- Longer hospital stays
- Increased readmission rates after hospitalization.
EQUIP Study | Equitable Use of Interpreter Services and Resources for Patients and Healthcare Professionals
The EQUIP Project aims to reduce language barriers by placing the potential for a quick, live video interpreter into the hands of providers and patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, among other sites such as Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute. We aim to evaluate whether the Jeenie ® mobile app (part of their remote interpreting platform that instantly matches users with world-class medical interpreters for 24/7 language support), can provide language-concordant communication for patient with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or non-English preferred language along the surgical continuum of care.
CII Project | Comparing Interpreter Interventions
The CII project aims to understand patients’ considerations and preferences for a mobile application with a virtual on-demand medical interpreter and artificial intelligence-based medical interpreter in healthcare settings.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
FUNDING:
NIH NIMHD K23 MD016129: Improving Outcomes for Spanish-Speaking Surgical Patients with Limited English Proficiency (2022-2027; PI: Gezzer Ortega MD MPH)
In collaboration with MGB United Against Racism grant: Improving racial/ethnic minority access to high quality head & neck cancer care at MGB (PI: Regan Bergmark)
