Faculty mentor/PI email address
moorer@rowan.edu
Keywords
Spanish-speaking, Medical interpreters, Equity
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Impact of Spanish-Speaking Medical Interpreters on Healthcare Access, Outcomes, and Equity in Patients with Limited English Proficiency
Background
Limited English proficiency (LEP) is a significant barrier to equitable healthcare in the United States and is associated with reduced access to care, poorer clinical outcomes, and increased healthcare disparities. The Spanish-speaking population represents the largest proportion of LEP patients, making language access a crucial component of high-quality care. Language discordance between patients and providers contributes to impaired communication, increased medical errors, and decreased utilization of preventative services1-4.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Spanish-speaking professional medical interpreters on healthcare access, quality of care, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction, and to identify barriers to interpreter utilization and potential strategies for improvement1-5,6,8.
Methods
A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE. Search terms included “limited English proficiency,” “medical interpreter,” “language services,” “clinical outcomes,” “adverse events,” “length of stay,” and “patient satisfaction.” Studies were included if they evaluated professional interpreter use in LEP populations and reported outcomes related to clinical care, patient safety, or patient-reported measures. Due to heterogeneity in study design and outcome reporting, a meta-analysis was not performed. Outcomes were grouped categories including length of stay, adverse events, and patient satisfaction, with emphasis on clinically significant trends and reported population sizes.
Results
The study showed that interpreter use was consistently associated with improved outcomes across multiple categories. Patients receiving professional interpreter services demonstrated improved understanding of diagnoses, medications, and discharge instructions, leading to better adherence and chronic disease management 1-5,6,8. Interpreter use was associated with reduced hospital length of stay (approximately 1–1.5 days shorter) and improved care efficiency 1-9.
In contrast, LEP patients without interpreter services experienced significantly higher rates of clinically significant medical errors, with studies demonstrating approximately twofold increases in adverse events1-4. Interpreter use also improved patient satisfaction, trust, and engagement in care.¹ Additionally, interpreter services were associated with increased utilization of primary care and preventive services, suggesting improved access to appropriate healthcare resources 1-6.
Conclusion
Professional medical interpreter use significantly improves healthcare access, clinical outcomes, patient safety, and satisfaction among patients with LEP. These findings support interpreter services as a critical component of equitable and high-quality healthcare delivery. Despite strong evidence, interpreter services remain underutilized due to systemic barriers including cost, limited availability, and workflow constraints1-3,7,9. Expanding interpreter access and utilization is essential for reducing disparities and advancing health equity3-7. Future research, including institution-specific retrospective chart reviews, is needed to validate real-world outcomes and identify opportunities to optimize interpreter use in clinical practice.
Funding
N/A
Conflicts of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest related to this research
Disciplines
Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Population Health
Impact of Spanish-Speaking Medical Interpreters on Healthcare Access, Outcomes, and Equity in Patients with Limited English Proficiency
Impact of Spanish-Speaking Medical Interpreters on Healthcare Access, Outcomes, and Equity in Patients with Limited English Proficiency
Background
Limited English proficiency (LEP) is a significant barrier to equitable healthcare in the United States and is associated with reduced access to care, poorer clinical outcomes, and increased healthcare disparities. The Spanish-speaking population represents the largest proportion of LEP patients, making language access a crucial component of high-quality care. Language discordance between patients and providers contributes to impaired communication, increased medical errors, and decreased utilization of preventative services1-4.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Spanish-speaking professional medical interpreters on healthcare access, quality of care, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction, and to identify barriers to interpreter utilization and potential strategies for improvement1-5,6,8.
Methods
A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE. Search terms included “limited English proficiency,” “medical interpreter,” “language services,” “clinical outcomes,” “adverse events,” “length of stay,” and “patient satisfaction.” Studies were included if they evaluated professional interpreter use in LEP populations and reported outcomes related to clinical care, patient safety, or patient-reported measures. Due to heterogeneity in study design and outcome reporting, a meta-analysis was not performed. Outcomes were grouped categories including length of stay, adverse events, and patient satisfaction, with emphasis on clinically significant trends and reported population sizes.
Results
The study showed that interpreter use was consistently associated with improved outcomes across multiple categories. Patients receiving professional interpreter services demonstrated improved understanding of diagnoses, medications, and discharge instructions, leading to better adherence and chronic disease management 1-5,6,8. Interpreter use was associated with reduced hospital length of stay (approximately 1–1.5 days shorter) and improved care efficiency 1-9.
In contrast, LEP patients without interpreter services experienced significantly higher rates of clinically significant medical errors, with studies demonstrating approximately twofold increases in adverse events1-4. Interpreter use also improved patient satisfaction, trust, and engagement in care.¹ Additionally, interpreter services were associated with increased utilization of primary care and preventive services, suggesting improved access to appropriate healthcare resources 1-6.
Conclusion
Professional medical interpreter use significantly improves healthcare access, clinical outcomes, patient safety, and satisfaction among patients with LEP. These findings support interpreter services as a critical component of equitable and high-quality healthcare delivery. Despite strong evidence, interpreter services remain underutilized due to systemic barriers including cost, limited availability, and workflow constraints1-3,7,9. Expanding interpreter access and utilization is essential for reducing disparities and advancing health equity3-7. Future research, including institution-specific retrospective chart reviews, is needed to validate real-world outcomes and identify opportunities to optimize interpreter use in clinical practice.
Funding
N/A
Conflicts of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest related to this research