HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED STATES

ACCESS ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE

Uninsured Percentage having a usual place of

healthcare

Yes

51.5%

No

48.5%

Source: Original Work

Attribution: Deanna Howe

License: CC BY-SA 4.0

8.5.4 Timeliness of Obtaining an Appointment or Treatment

Sometimes individuals cannot receive an appointment with a healthcare provider as quickly as needed or desired. This causes a delay in treatment and possible worsening of symptoms. Many individuals end up in the emergency department or outpatient clinic, and higher costs may be incurred or poorer health outcomes may result from delays. Long waits in physician’s offices or in emergency departments is another barrier to healthcare (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [IDPHP], 2019a). Patients may leave without being seen if the wait is long, thus delaying care further. Patient dissatisfaction may occur also. Often, tests are ordered and there is a delay in obtaining those services. The delay may lead to distraught feelings, development or extension of complications requiring hospitalization and possible poor health outcomes, and likely increased costs (ODPHP, 2019a).

8.5.5 Language Barrier

The number of individuals in the U.S. with English as a second language is increasing (Meuter et al. 2015), posing a language barrier issue between non-English speaking patients and healthcare workers. A language barrier prevents ideal communication between the patient and the healthcare provider, with possible errors in assessment of problems, services rendered, and in care instructions. A lack of culturally-competent care may also be present if the healthcare provider is not aware of, or chooses not to be aware of, cultural differences that affect the communication between patient and healthcare provider. A lack of culturally-competent care may lead to inequitable care for those who cannot speak English fluently (Meuter et al., 2015).

Pause and Reflect

How might a language barrier affect seeking healthcare? Consider if you were

visiting a different country whose people speak a different language. What if you

become ill? How would you find healthcare? How would you communicate the

problem?

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