Lost in the translation; medicine is grappling with a surge of patients who don't speak English

Article Abstract:

The health care industry is improving its translation services and bilingual staffs to help communicate with the large number of non-English speaking individuals who need medical care. A 1990 census reveals that nearly 15 million Americans, which is about 6% of the population, found it very difficult to communicate in English. Health care facilities that are not prepared to handle foreign-speaking patients generate a number of mistakes when giving medical care instructions. The health care industry continues to face regulatory pressure to increase medical interpretation services.

---

Minority enrollment hits record, but still short of goal

Article Abstract:

The number of minority students enrolled in the 1993 medical school freshman class rose slightly to 11.2% from around 10% in previous years, according to the Assn of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The increase brings the total number of underrepresented minority medical students to 1,827, or 60% of AAMC's goal of reflecting the general population. Mexican American enrollment rose substantially to 23.1% over 1992 figures, while white male enrollment fell by 3.7% and Asian-American enrollment fell by 4.3%.

Statistics, Minorities in medicine, Association of American Medical Colleges

---

Managed care having dramatic impact on MS care

Article Abstract:

Many health maintenance organizations (HMO) are under attack for failing to provide adequate care for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Opponents charge that HMOs are limiting medical equipment, drugs and physical therapy to patients with MS due to their high costs. MS is a chronical condition with a wide variety of symptoms. As a result, HMO treatments and coverage vary considerably throughout the country.

Health Maintenance Organizations, HMO Medical Centers, Economic aspects, Social policy, Multiple sclerosis

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Getting the message: communications systems rescue doctors from a sea of pink slips
• Abstracts: Turning point: friction between physicians and nurses is giving way to a collegiality that benefits providers and patients alike
• Abstracts: Combination therapy in NIDDM. Effect of troglitazone in insulin-treated patients with type II diabetes mellitus
• Abstracts: More than the poor: courts and Congress expand scope of patient transfer law. AIDS patient claims hospital violated ADA, 'dumping' law
• Abstracts: Been avoiding the CLIA rules? You may not get paid for lab tests. Details still not clear on self-referral ban

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.