Perceptions and experiences of Latinx parents with language barriers in a pediatric emergency department: a qualitative study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ronine Zamor, Emory University; Lisa M Vaughn, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Erin McCann, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Luisanna Sanchez, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Erica M Page, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Melinda E Mahabee-Gittens, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-12-01
• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2022
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08839-w
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: BMC Health Services Research
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 1463
• End Page: 1463
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was funded, in part, by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: NIH Grant Number R01HD083354. This funding source had no involvement in the study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of data.
• Keywords: Communication Barriers; Pediatric emergency department; Infant, Newborn; Emergency Service, Hospital; Language barriers; Qualitative Research; Infant; Child; Health disparities; Latinx; Humans; Parents; Child, Preschool; Communication
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Background: Prior research has shown disparities exist among Latinx children who require treatment for respiratory illnesses within the pediatric emergency department (PED). Limited data exist regarding Latinx families’ experiences on the care they received at PEDs within non-traditional destination areas (NDA). Their experiences can identify areas of improvement to potentially reduce healthcare disparities among pediatric patients within this population. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of Latinx families with low English proficiency in the PED with a NDA. The broader purpose was to identify areas of improvement for reducing health care disparities among Latinx families. Methods: We used qualitative methods to analyze semi-structured interviews among Latinx families who presented to the PED with their 0–2 year-old child for a respiratory illness from May 2019 through January 2020. All participants had low English proficiency and requested a Spanish interpreter during registration. All interviews were transcribed and reviewed using thematic analysis based on a phenomenology framework. Results: Interviews were conducted with 16 Latinx parents. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: (1) Uncertainty - Families expressed uncertainty regarding how to care for a child with distressing symptoms, (2) Communication – Families favored in-person interpreters which enhanced communication and allowed families to feel more informed, (3) System Burden – Families reported that the unfamiliarity with the US health system and lack of resources are additional burdens, and (4) Emotional Support – The emergency department visits garnered confidence and reassurance for families. Conclusions: Our study identified four major themes among Latinx families within a PED of a NDA. Potential areas of interventions should focus on supporting access to an interpreter, improving information delivery, and enhancing education on community resources for families with low English proficiency.