Limited English Proficiency is a Barrier to Therapeutic Compliance

Limited English Proficiency is a Barrier to Therapeutic Compliance

Introduction

The core objective of medical therapy is for the achievement of desired outcomes in the patients. Compliance means obeying rules or requests by the authority. In medical therapy, compliance means that the patient agrees with the recommendations of the clinicians for health and medical advice (Jin et al. 2008). Therefore, therapeutic non-compliance means that the patient is congruent with the guidance of therapy.

Limited English proficiency as a barrier to therapeutic compliance

There is significant proof that proficiency in spoken English determines whether or not an individual will utilize available healthcare services. The ability to use English as the primary language during therapy is associated with improved compliance with treatment.

Why the interest in the area

Language barrier primarily contributes to poor outcomes of therapy (Tsai et al. 2016). The language barrier may not only lead to therapeutic complications such as drug interactions and overdose but may also delay diagnosis leading to poor prognosis. There is a need for the exploration of this area of study because of the diverse effect of limited English proficiency in the outcomes of healthcare services (Taira et al. 2019).

Significance of the area of interest to nursing

Literacy, which comprises the ability to speak English, is essential in understanding health information. Health literacy means an individual can obtain, process, and understand necessary health information (Beagley, 2011). Drugs do not work if not taken. Therefore, there is a need for effective communication between nursing care staff and the patient for satisfactory adherence to therapy. Nurses need to understand the role of limited English proficiency in determining the delivery quality of healthcare.

The impact of English proficiency in the delivery of quality healthcare

Most studies explore proficiency in English concerning access to quality healthcare services. However, factors such as satisfaction with medical care and logistics such as the reason for admission and the general comprehension of the medical setting are essential factors that contribute to the results of therapy (Qureshi et al. 2014). As a result, the purpose of this study is to evaluate limited English proficiency as a barrier to therapeutic compliance when patients get treatment regardless of socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity, gender, Medicare insurance, or language spoken.

References

Beagley, L. (2011). Educating patients: understanding barriers, learning styles, and teaching techniques. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 26(5), 331-337.

Jin, J., Sklar, G. E., Oh, V. M. S., & Li, S. C. (2008). Factors affecting therapeutic compliance: A review from the patient’s perspective. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 4(1), 269.

Qureshi, M. M., Romesser, P. B., Jalisi, S., Zaner, K. S., Cooley, T. P., Grillone, G., … & Truong, M. T. (2014). The influence of limited English proficiency on outcome in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Patient education and counseling, 97(2), 276-282.

Taira, B. R., & Orue, A. (2019). Language assistance for limited English proficiency patients in a public ED: determining the unmet need. BMC health services research, 19(1), 56.

Tsai, T. I., & Lee, S. Y. D. (2016). Health literacy as the missing link in the provision of immigrant health care: A qualitative study of Southeast Asian immigrant women in Taiwan. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 54, 65-74.

pTA”””’5’7