PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Medical organizations are stressing the importance of meeting the growing need for Spanish-speaking physicians.
Spanish is the second-most commonly spoken language in the United States. At this point, about one out of eight people speaks Spanish at home.
The American Academy of Family Physicians has found there may not be enough Spanish-speaking doctors working in counties with a high percentage of Spanish speakers.
In order to address that disparity, they recommend recruiting Spanish-speaking providers to areas with a large Spanish-speaking population.
When this is not possible, and for those patients who speak other languages, computer-based translation is available and translator services can be brought into the exam room with smart devices.
The AAFP also recommends Spanish be taught in medical school and family medicine residency programs.
The bottom line is that improved communication is a key to providing the best care.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
