This letter features reporting from "How Nurses Overcome Challenges While Treating Patients With Limited English Proficiency" by Caleb Hellerman and William Brangham

Dear Dr. Kaitlan Baston,

In today’s globalized world, the healthcare industry faces significant challenges when language barriers arise between patients and providers. Miscommunication in healthcare only grows larger as America becomes more diverse. In a report from PBS NewsHour’s Pulitzer Center-supported series Critical Care: The Future of Nursing, William Brangham highlights how “...language barriers can lead to medical errors and worse health outcomes.” The story shares Julio Oreana’s perspective. He spoke no English and received medication from a pharmacist who spoke no Spanish. He wasn't sure what the medication did and chose not to take any. Not taking the medicine could have been a hazard, especially for someone bedbound like him. According to Allison Squires from NYU, patients with limited English proficiency are at a 15 to 25 percent higher risk for harmful events during hospital stays.

In my local community, the drawbacks of communication affect us deeply. While volunteering in hospitals and other healthcare settings, I have seen firsthand how language barriers obstruct effective care. In many cases, healthcare providers must rely on family members for translation, which can create delays or lead to inaccurate information being conveyed. My background in this topic connects me to the difficulties my grandmother faced while seeking medical care, particularly during her stroke, when her limited proficiency in English further intensified her inability to speak. As detailed in the Pulitzer Center-supported story, the inability to speak the same language can delay treatment or even cause misdiagnoses, putting lives at risk. 

As the Pulitzer Center news report proves, this issue is systemic, affecting various aspects of healthcare delivery, including patient trust, treatment, and overall health outcomes. Equal access to quality healthcare should not be compromised due to a lack of language support, making this both a local and global concern. Many countries worldwide face similar challenges when it comes to providing effective medical care to individuals with limited proficiency in multiple languages. Improved communication tools and language support are essential for addressing this problem on a global scale.

I am writing to you because of your role as the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, and in addressing healthcare challenges. You have the power to advocate for changes in our community that can improve communication in medical settings. One solution is the expansion of interpreter services and the implementation of cost-effective tools like communication boards, which can be printed cheaply and were successfully used during the COVID-19 pandemic to bridge language gaps. This initiative has proven effective in multiple settings, as noted in the PBS NewsHour report and other articles. Another potential solution is to organize seminars in hospitals and provide online resources that teach basic vocabulary in relevant languages. By addressing this issue promptly and implementing these straightforward solutions, we can significantly improve the care those hospitalized receive. Please consider this as an approach to healthcare reform in our community that addresses the needs of all individuals.

Sincerely,
Eshan Patel


Eshan Patel is a sophomore at Morris County School of Technology in the Healthcare Sciences Academy. Passionate about addressing systemic challenges in healthcare, he aspires to become a neurosurgeon and is particularly interested in improving communication in medical settings. Inspired by personal experiences and volunteer work, Eshan recognizes the critical role of language accessibility in delivering effective care and reducing health disparities.

At school, Eshan is an active member of HOSA and the Red Cross Club, where he contributes to community projects and healthcare-focused initiatives. Outside of academics, he enjoys volunteering, attending cultural and character-building classes, and spending time with family and friends. Eshan is committed to fostering a future where healthcare is equitable, accessible, and inclusive for all.

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