title: Patient satisfaction with language--concordant care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Spanish-speaking Hispanic patient population is more likely to be in poor health than their English-speaking counterparts. These patients are less satisfied with their care, which may lead to adverse health outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted in San Bernardino, California. Surveys reflecting various aspects of patient satisfaction and language concordance were distributed to 100 Spanish-speaking Hispanic patients over a 2-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly all patients (97%) indicated increased satisfaction if their providers speak Spanish, and a large majority (83.7%) reported that it mattered that their provider speaks Spanish fluently (83.7%). Those more satisfied with fluency were also less likely to speak English (P= .001), understand English (P < .001), or have a high school diploma (P = .002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spanish-speaking patients may be more satisfied if their provider speaks Spanish fluently. This potentially deleterious effect on patient safety needs further evaluation as to whether decreased satisfaction due to language discordance leads to adverse patient events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physician Assistant Sciences, Loma Linda University, 24785 Stewart St., Evans Hall, Room 201, Loma Linda, CA 92350-0001, USA. ceskes@llu.edu
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eskes
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salisbury
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johannsson
authors.forename: Yasmin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chene
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000208:ethnology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult