The importance of language and culture in pediatric care: case studies from the Latino community.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have examined culture's effect on pediatric care.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze 3 cases illustrating the importance of culture in pediatrics.


METHODS
Case analysis with a cultural competency model.


RESULTS
No interpreter was available for the parents of a 3-year-old brought to the emergency department because of abdominal pain; she was discharged twice, returned with an acute abdomen, and was hospitalized for treatment of appendiceal rupture and peritonitis. A 2-year-old fractured her clavicle in a fall but was placed in social services' custody because of a pediatrician's misinterpretation. Parents of a ventilation-dependent 2-week-old with encephalopathy, seizures, and renal failure were unaware of the infant's poor prognosis, despite use of an interpreter.


CONCLUSIONS
Culture can have a significant impact on pediatric care; use of a simple model can ensure that pediatricians provide culturally competent care.
Flores
G
G
Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, 02118, USA.
Abreu
M
M
Schwartz
I
I
Hill
M
M
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003469:Culture; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce