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Disparities in Patient Satisfaction Among Hispanics: The Role of Language Preference

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Abstract

Hispanic and Spanish-speaking patients experience lower satisfaction with their health care when compared to whites and English speakers. We attempt to clarify the relationship between language preference and patient satisfaction in Hispanics. Study participants were Hispanic patients recruited from two clinics that serve an exclusively Hispanic population. We compared baseline levels of patient satisfaction among English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and bilingual participants. Multivariate linear regression was used to model the effect of language preference on patient satisfaction. Baseline comparisons revealed that bilingual patients experienced higher satisfaction with doctor–patient communication and the office staff than Spanish-speaking patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that language preference was not significantly associated with patient satisfaction. Patient language preference was not a consistent predictor of satisfaction in this cohort of Hispanic patients receiving linguistically competent primary care. The analysis of local data in this study provides a crude adjustment for healthcare quality that is missing from previous research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Matthew O’Brien & Judy Shea

  2. Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall #1303B, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Matthew O’Brien

  3. Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Matthew O’Brien & Judy Shea

Authors
  1. Matthew O’Brien
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  2. Judy Shea
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Correspondence to Matthew O’Brien.

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O’Brien, M., Shea, J. Disparities in Patient Satisfaction Among Hispanics: The Role of Language Preference. J Immigrant Minority Health 13, 408–412 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-009-9275-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-009-9275-2

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