Vandervort Elisa Brettler, Melkus Gail D'eramo
Otter Creek Family Health Service in Brandon, VT, USA.
J Transcult Nurs. 2003 Oct;14(4):358-66. doi: 10.1177/1043659603257338.
A review of the literature reveals few studies that focus on the challenge of language barriers in primary care settings. Recognizing the need for a national consensus on cultural and linguistic standards for health care in the United States, the Office of Minority Health recently released a set of standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS). These standards were utilized to examine the linguistic services available at eight ambulatory care centers in a small New England state in an effort to determine compliance with recommended national standards. Although myriad studies have focused on provision of linguistically appropriate care in emergency rooms (ERs), few studies have specifically examined ambulatory care settings. Numerous strategies have been adopted by individual clinics in an attempt to deal effectively with linguistic barriers. Yet without clear national regulations and dedicated funding for interpreter services, a large spectrum of services exists. Survey data were obtained from on-site visits at select community health clinics to ascertain availability, need, and utilization of linguistic services for patients with limited English proficiency. The majority of patients served by the clinics surveyed were predominantly Spanish-speaking. Results reveal that although most of the clinics provided informal mechanisms of interpreter services, few directly addressed linguistic services as a component of culturally competent care.
对文献的回顾显示，很少有研究关注基层医疗环境中语言障碍的挑战。认识到美国需要就医疗保健的文化和语言标准达成全国共识，少数族裔健康办公室最近发布了一套文化和语言适宜服务（CLAS）标准。这些标准被用于检查新英格兰一个小州的八个门诊护理中心提供的语言服务，以确定是否符合推荐的国家标准。尽管有大量研究关注急诊室提供语言适宜护理的情况，但很少有研究专门考察门诊护理环境。各个诊所采取了许多策略，试图有效应对语言障碍。然而，由于缺乏明确的国家法规和对口译服务的专项资金，存在着各种各样的服务。通过对选定社区健康诊所的实地考察获得调查数据，以确定英语水平有限的患者可获得的语言服务、需求和使用情况。接受调查的诊所服务的大多数患者主要讲西班牙语。结果显示，虽然大多数诊所提供了口译服务的非正式机制，但很少有诊所将语言服务直接作为文化胜任力护理的一个组成部分。
