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Patient-Reported Quality of Pain Treatment and Use of Interpreters in Spanish-Speaking Patients Hospitalized for Obstetric and Gynecological Care

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Assessment and treatment of pain are based largely on patient’s self reports. Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) may have difficulties communicating their pain symptoms in the presence of language barriers.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether interpreter use was associated with quality of acute pain treatment among Latina patients with limited English proficiency.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of two cross-sectional surveys.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and eighty-five Latino female patients hospitalized for obstetric and gynecological care who required interpreter services. Patients were classified into two groups according to interpreter availability ('Always' and 'Not Always' available).

MAIN MEASURES

Quality of pain treatment was measured by patient report of 1) overall level of pain control during hospitalization; 2) timeliness of pain treatment; and 3) perceived provider helpfulness to treat pain.

KEY RESULTS

Patients who always received interpreters were more likely to report higher levels of pain control (P = 0.02), timely pain treatment (P = 0.02), and greater perceived provider helpfulness to treat their pain (P = 0.005), compared with patients who not always received interpreters.

CONCLUSION

Use of interpreters by LEP patients was associated with better patient reports on quality of pain treatment, and may also improve clinical interactions related to pain.

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Acknowledgements

Research Funding

This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute [U01 CA114642 to DB]; the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [DK 082325 to NJ, PI: DB]; the National Center for Research Resources [1KL2-RR02-5015 to Mary Disis]; and the Department of Health and Human Services [1T32GM086270-01 to NJ, PI: Debra Schwinn]. Gerardo Moreno and Mei Leng received support from the University of California, Los Angeles, Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research Center for Health Improvement of Minority Elderly (RCMAR/CHIME) under NIH/NIA Grant P30-AG021684).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they do not have a conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Nathalia Jimenez MD, MPH.

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Jimenez, N., Moreno, G., Leng, M. et al. Patient-Reported Quality of Pain Treatment and Use of Interpreters in Spanish-Speaking Patients Hospitalized for Obstetric and Gynecological Care. J GEN INTERN MED 27, 1602–1608 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-012-2154-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-012-2154-x

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