Effects of Professional Interpreter Services on the Utilization of Health Care Services of Different Language/Cultural Groups

Author

• Amanda Fleming Petrik, Portland State University

Sponsor

Portland State University. Department of Sociology

First Advisor

Sharon M. Lee

Term of Graduation

Spring 2001

Date of Publication

6-8-2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Sociology

Department

Sociology

Language

English

Subjects

Transcultural medical care -- United States, Linguistic minorities -- Medical care -- United States, Health facilities -- Translating services -- United States

Physical Description

1 online resource (iii, 76 pages)

Abstract

Immigration has affected the number of U.S. residents who speak little or no English. These residents have limited English proficiency. Research studies have indicated discrepancies in medical interpretation and medical care. However, differences in health care between the language/ cultural groups are rarely recognized as health discrepancies.

This research project is a quasi-experimental design, testing differences between the four major language groups in the greater Portland, Oregon area. These four major language/cultural groups speak Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish and Russian.

A secondary data analysis was used to compare the differences in utilization of emergency room services, routine services, and urgent care services. This thesis also examines the differences between the four groups in cancellations of appointments and failures to show up to appointments.

This study found that sociodemographic differences between the four language groups exhibit differences that may affect the use of medical services. Also, utilization of emergency room services and routine and urgent care services increased. The amount by which the usage increases varied among the Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Chinese speaking patient populations. Overall, cancellations of appointments increased, as did the number of no-shows.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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Recommended Citation

Petrik, Amanda Fleming, "Effects of Professional Interpreter Services on the Utilization of Health Care Services of Different Language/Cultural Groups" (2001). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 7229.