Informing physician strategies to overcome language barriers in encounters with pediatric patients

Abstract

Objectives: To describe physician perceptions of differences in limited English proficient (LEP) pediatric encounters and the behavioral adaptations they make to provide quality care to LEP pediatric patients.

Methods: We conducted 30min, semi-structured interviews with 6 family physicians and 5 pediatricians in one health system. Audiotapes from each interview were transcribed verbatim then coded using content analysis.

Results: Multiple aspects of the LEP pediatric encounter were perceived by physicians as different from other encounters: trust and relationship between physician and LEP child/child's family, continuity of care, encounter's structure and flow, patient assessment, and communication barriers. Within each of these themes, physicians identified how they adapt their behavior to improve the quality of care provided to LEP children and families.

Conclusions: Physicians' made both positive and negative adaptations in LEP pediatric encounters that may impact the quality of care provided to these patients.

Practice implications: By identification of specific positive and negative behavioral adaptations, this study emphasizes intervention targets, such as demonstrating interest in an LEP pediatric patient's family story and individuality and using common niceties in conversations with LEP children.

Keywords: Interpreter services; Limited english proficient.