Language preference and perceptions of healthcare providers' communication and autonomy making behaviors among Hispanics.
BACKGROUND
To examine influence of language preference-English versus Spanish-on Hispanics' perceptions of their healthcare providers' communication behaviors.


METHODS
Using the 2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), we observed non-institutionalized Hispanics (n = 5197; US population estimate = 27,070,906), aged >or=18 years, reporting visiting a healthcare provider within the past 12 months.


RESULTS
When compared to Spanish responders (reference group), English responders were more likely to report that their healthcare provider "always" listened to them carefully (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.78), "always" explained things so that they understood (adjusted OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.08-1.73), "always" spent enough time with them (adjusted OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.24-2.11),"always" asked them to help make decisions (adjusted OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03-1.82), and "always" showed respect for treatment decisions (adjusted OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.27-2.19).


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare providers should consider the complex needs of Hispanic patients whose language of choice is not English.
Wallace
Lorraine S
LS
Department of Family Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN 37920, USA. lwallace@mc.utmck.edu
DeVoe
Jennifer E
JE
Heintzman
John D
JD
Fryer
George E
GE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014175:Translating; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult