Cultural Competency - Language Resources and Services
Language is an important component of culture. Effective communication with limited-English patients (LEP) is critical to providing culturally competent care. Use these resources to enhance communication with the LEP population.
Interpretation and Translation
UMHS
Interpreter Services
Provides interpreter services for deaf and limited-English
speaking patients. Also provides translated copies of common
patient documents including informed consent and HIPPA.
Espanol
Spanish portal for UMHS homepage-based information and resources.
Language Line
Offers over-the-phone interpretation for over 150 languages.
Voices for Health
Offers interpreter and translator services,
seminars, and assistance for research projects.
Interpreters World Tour
An environmental scan conducted by the National Council on
Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) to analyze standards of
practice around the world and within the U.S. (pdf)
Addressing Language Access in Your Practice: A Toolkit for Physicians and Their Staff Members
This toolkit is provided for you and your practice to use
in addressing the issues of language access you and your patients
face each day. It is designed to give you practical information
and manageable steps to take to enhance patient care.(pdf)
A Patient-Centered Guide to Implementing Language Access Services in Health Care Organizations
Developed for the Office of Minority Health (OMH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), by the American Institutes for Research (AIR). OMH sponsored the development of the guide to help health care organizations implement effective LAS to meet the needs of their limited English proficient (LEP) patients, thereby increasing their access to health care.
- Summary (pdf)
- Full Report (pdf)
National Cancer Institute EnEspanol
Offered by the National Cancer Institute, a Spanish language Web site designed to meet the needs of Hispanic patients, families and their providers
Translated Material
Health Information Translations
Series of documents on several topics to help health care professionals teach health education to patients with limited English skills. Available in Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukranian, and Hindi. Each document contains an English translation.
Ethnomed Patient Education Resources
Patient education materials are available in a variety of different languages.
Point-to-Talk Booklets (available in 19 languages)
http://www.massgeneral.org/interpreters/pointtalk.asp
Maternal and Child Health Library
Materials and resources for consumers and professionals in
numerous languages other than English.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: My Medicines
A brochure designed to encourage patients to ask about the medications they're taking. Available in Cambodian, Chinese, English, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Polish, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.
Asian Pacific Islander Cancer Education Materials Tool
From the American Cancer Society
The Virtual Body
Provides a guided virtual tour of the major components of the human body in both english and spanish.
Health Literacy and Cultural Competency
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Includes information for consumers and healthcare providers.
Improving Health Literacy
From the National Institute on Health
Quick Guide to Health Literacy
Includes section on cultural and linguistic competence.
Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion
On-line book from National Academies Press
