This paper reports findings from a study of the effects of interpreter services on utilization of health care by LEP patients. We compare a sample of 1,037 LEP patients' use of health care two years before and after the implementation of interpreter services in July 1997. We analyze changes in the outcome variables before and after July 1997. The outcome variables include: total visits by LEP members to health providers, total visits to emergency facilities, percent of failures to show up for scheduled visits, length of stay in emergency facilities, level of care provided in emergency facilities, and consistency between complaint and diagnosis codes in emergency facilities. We also examine how changes in the outcome measures vary by gender, language group, age, and type of health care coverage of LEP members. Over 60 percent of the sample are women. Four language groups (Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, and Chinese) make up over 80 percent of the sample. We compare LEP patients who are on Medicaid or the Oregon Health Plan (for low income patients) with patients who have private health insurance. The findings inform health providers and patients about the role of interpreter services as a form of health care service that facilitates access to, and more effective use of, health care by the growing LEP population.
Learning Objectives: Evaluate the effects of interpreters on LEP patients' use of health care. Discuss data and methodology issues in research on language barriers and health care.
Keywords: Interpreters, Health Care Utilization
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.