PS2-34: Communication Barriers and Preferences of Limited English Proficient Chinese Speaking Members in Kaiser Permanente.

Background/Aims Our aim was to learn about the literacy and communication difficulties and preferences of Limited English Proficient Chinese speakers. Methods This was a self-administered waiting room survey of KP Bilingual Chinese module patients. The study sample includes 1672 patients aged 35+ (775 aged 35-59, 897 aged 60+) classified from self-report as Very Limited English Proficient (VLEPs, n = 1242, speaks English not at all or not well) or Limited English Proficient (LEPs, n = 430, speaks English well, but not very well). Results We found: 1) Educational attainment was low overall (approximately 36% had not completed the equivalent of high school, 37% were high school graduates, 15% had some college, and 12% were college graduates), and significantly lower among older patients and within age groups, VLEP versus LEP; (2) 97% of VLEPs and 13% of LEPs do not read English well, 13% of both VLEPs and LEPs do not read Chinese well, and 13% of VLEPs do not read either language well, with older VLEPs having the lowest literacy; (3) 88% of VLEPs and 55% of LEPs usually have trouble understanding letters in English and 43% of VLEPs and 35% of LEPs usually have trouble understanding letters in Chinese; (4) Among VLEPs, 43% preferred print instructions in Chinese, 2% in English, and 55% in both languages; among LEPs: 8% preferred Chinese, 28% English, and 64% both languages; (5) 76% of VLEPs and 42% of LEPs usually have trouble interacting with the KP Call Center on their own; Chinese Call Center agents were desired by 96% of VLEPs and 74% of LEPs; (6) VLEPs are more likely than LEPs to have difficulty understanding instructions (VLEPs: 42% sometimes, 15% usually; LEPs: 25% and 2%) and test results (VLEPs: 41% sometimes, 39% usually; LEPs: 49% and 8%), and more frequently require help from others to understand (VLEPs: 30% sometimes, 60% usually; LEPs 43% and 12%); and (7) VLEPs are less likely than LEPs to use email and Internet, and more likely to need help when doing so. Conclusions Limited English Proficient Chinese patients face many difficulties related to language, literacy, and education in ability to receive and understand health-related communications.

Citation

Nancy Gordon, Anne Tang. PS2-34: Communication Barriers and Preferences of Limited English Proficient Chinese Speaking Members in Kaiser Permanente. Clinical medicine & research. 2013 Sep;11(3):161-162

PMID: 24085980

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