Mutchler Jan E, Bacigalupe Gonzalo, Coppin Antonia, Gottlieb Alison
Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA.
J Cross Cult Gerontol. 2007 Mar;22(1):101-14. doi: 10.1007/s10823-006-9021-3. Epub 2006 Nov 29.
Limited English language proficiency forms a significant challenge for many Latinos in clinical settings. Although medications are commonly used by older individuals as a means of maintaining good health and managing health problems, the extent to which English proficiency is related to medication use among older Latinos is not known. Focus groups were conducted with Latino, community-residing individuals aged 50 and over in eastern Massachusetts. Qualitative evaluation of the group interviews suggests that language is a barrier in dealing with medication for these individuals. Limited English proficiency appears to be related to feelings of being discriminated against in clinical and pharmacy settings. As well, communicating directly with health professionals in a common language is associated with level of trust and confidence in medical settings. Use of formal and informal interpreters, as well as seeking Spanish-speaking physicians and pharmacies with Spanish-speaking staff, are identified as strategies for overcoming health-related obstacles surrounding language.
英语水平有限对许多拉丁裔患者在临床环境中构成了重大挑战。尽管老年人通常使用药物来维持健康和管理健康问题，但英语水平与老年拉丁裔患者用药之间的关联程度尚不清楚。我们对马萨诸塞州东部年龄在50岁及以上、居住在社区的拉丁裔人群进行了焦点小组访谈。对小组访谈的定性评估表明，语言是这些人在用药方面的障碍。英语水平有限似乎与在临床和药房环境中遭受歧视的感觉有关。此外，用共同语言与医护人员直接沟通与在医疗环境中的信任程度相关。使用正式和非正式口译员，以及寻找有说西班牙语员工的西班牙语医生和药房，被确定为克服与语言相关的健康障碍的策略。
