Importance of conversation English for patients with kidney disease

Posted on 8 May 2024

The number of persons in the United States who report speaking a language other than English in their family has significantly increased during the past several decades. The population grew substantially from 23 million persons in 1980 to 68 million individuals in 2019, indicating a spike of 194%. Spanish is the predominant non-English language spoken at home, with Chinese languages being the second most usually stated. Among those aged 5 and above who indicate speaking a language other than English in their household, 37.6% have a limited ability to communicate in English, including 38.6% of those who speak Spanish and 48% of those who speak Chinese. The LEP (Limited English Proficiency) patient population in the United States is a diverse group of individuals from various places of origin, cultures, ethnicities, and sociodemographic backgrounds. Nevertheless, they both have the shared challenge of overcoming language barriers in many contexts, such as healthcare.

Among adults, having limited English proficiency (LEP) is linked to poorer results for those with chronic health diseases such as diabetes and heart failure. One possible aspect contributing to the problem is inadequate communication between Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients and their healthcare providers. LEP status is associated with demonstrated differences in access to care, adherence to preventative interventions, and receipt of high-quality primary care. Multiple studies have shown that providing language-concordant treatment leads to better health outcomes, highlighting the need to tackle language barriers for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).

Patients diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) must engage in active self-management under the guidance of the dialysis team. This includes following low potassium and low phosphorous diets, limiting fluid intake, adhering to complex medication schedules, and engaging in physical activity to maintain adequate stamina for a potential kidney transplant surgery. Moreover, the understanding that patients have of the cause of their kidney insufficiency might influence the choices made by both the patient and their family members regarding kidney transplantation and live donation. In patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), the act of providing incorrect information about other medical illnesses has been linked to a higher risk of death from any cause. This underscores the need for proficient communication between patients and healthcare providers to manage the condition. This is similar to previous studies on other long-term health conditions, which have shown that improving patient knowledge, understanding, and awareness positively affects health outcomes. However, despite the necessity for regular contact between patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and their healthcare professionals, the quality of communication between these patients and their healthcare team members has yet to be thoroughly examined. Investigating this field is crucial since communication is a variable aspect of ESKD care provision that can be altered; for those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), this might involve increased use of professional translators, workers, and clinicians proficient in several languages, and health-related information in the same language as the patient.

Results of the research

Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) reported experiencing worse communication with dialysis providers and workers. This includes decreased listening, fewer clear explanations, and less time spent with patients than English-proficient patients. Nevertheless, these changes did not achieve statistical significance.

English conversation tutoring

An english conversation tutor online (here - https://livexp.com/online-tutors/conversational-english) will enable patients with kidney disease to receive better treatment by explaining basic definitions. Tutoring sessions, such as medical terminology and dialogue with medical staff, are tailored to the student's needs.