What should American nurses do when they encounter patients with limited English proficiency, or patients who do not understand English at all?

Healthcare providers need to be culturally sensitive and willing to ask questions to avoid errors when talking to patients from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Key issues when communicating with non-English speaking patients

Healthcare professionals should always be aware of their own values and cultural practices when interacting with patients from diverse non-English speaking backgrounds.doctor of nursing practice programme in asia The following tips can help health care providers provide more effective care to foreign patients:

Always be aware of the communication style used, the rhythm and speed should be easy to understand and the language should not be overly complex. Communication styles may need to be altered during conversations to fit the context and patient;

Don’t make assumptions about the patient’s English proficiency or understanding.masters in nursing programme in asia Patients with little English or with a strong accent may have medical knowledge, while English speakers may have difficulty understanding medical concepts;

Patients' beliefs and attitudes should be respected because people respond differently to illness, life and death. The patient's interpretation or belief about this should not be dismissed out of hand as this can create barriers in the communication process;

Be sensitive to body language. A patient's behavior can provide clues - whether they understand what is being said. However, it is important to note that the same body language can convey another meaning in another culture. For example, not maintaining eye contact can show respect, while smiling can show concern.

Overcome language barriers

Even with shorter words and clear sentences, there is no certainty that the patient fully understands unless the patient acknowledges this through feedback. Nodding does not count as feedback, as it is often a sign of partial understanding or to maintain harmony in the interaction to avoid conflict with the healthcare provider;

Asking open-ended questions that require the patient to formulate a structured response rather than a simple "Yes" or "No" can help healthcare professionals assess the patient's level of understanding;

Healthcare providers should make sure to repeat key points and phrases throughout the conversation;

Certain situations may require the presence of an interpreter. An accredited interpreter should be invited if:

The patient's English skills are insufficient to cope with this situation

Patient requests translation

The information that needs to be conveyed is important to the patient's health

Some patients may be reluctant to engage with an interpreter due to a lack of knowledge about interpreting services, or concerns about privacy and confidentiality. These feelings should be addressed appropriately and patients made aware that interpreters are subject to the same confidentiality rules as their healthcare providers. Constrained so that patient privacy will not be compromised.