According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 25.7 million or 8% of people ages five or older living in the United States had limited English proficiency (LEP). When faced with inequities like poor access to healthcare or other health disparities, these patients’ challenges are often compounded by poor health outcomes. The consequences of these disparities can be severe:
- Patients with LEP have longer hospital stays and are at higher risk of surgical delays and readmissions.
- Hispanic people with LEP report reduced access to care and fewer preventive services compared to English proficient Hispanic people.
- Disparities stemming from race, ethnicity, citizenship, education, and income levels can intensify these effects.
Because of this and similar situations, Federal Law now makes it a requirement to develop and implement systems which support equal access to medical information regardless of a patient’s native language.
Other multicultural societies, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, have policies in place requiring healthcare providers to give patients of different cultures and language proficiency access to language services which not only enhances their healthcare experience but also improves health outcomes.
Limited linguistic proficiency can make patient communication difficult, resulting in poorer diagnosis and care. Where medication is involved, the consequences can be higher readmission rates – or worse. The highest goal for healthcare providers, therefore, is to close the language gap between patients and the healthcare industry.
Expert linguistic resources
Argos Multilingual provides specialist healthcare language services based on 20 years of experience and cooperation with linguists who have medical or science degrees to back their expertise. Their training and experience in biotechnology, diagnostic equipment, medical devices, communications, and medical and clinical translation means that they will be able to adapt your content to local market regulations and social considerations. All our translators are highly qualified in both their respective mother tongue as well as in their chosen medical fields.
Healthcare language services
Argos Multilingual is ISO 9001 and EN ISO 13485 certified, and we provide both translation and interpreting services (on site and over the phone) for the healthcare industry. We have experience translating all types of healthcare documentation, including:
- Medical and hospital reports/records
- Informed consent forms (ICF)
- Patient reported outcome forms (PRO)
- Case report forms (CRF)
- Discharge summaries
- Patient recruitment documents
- Educational materials
- Proof of insurance (POI)
- Medical claims
- HIPAA materials
- Treatment instructions
- Pharmacy materials
- Marketing materials
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Additional services
Life Sciences & Medical Translation Services
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