On the basis of information provided in the article and course material, it is evident that communication plays a critical role in healthcare provision and patient satisfaction. Therefore, the need for bilingual and multilingual healthcare experts is increasing since patients can come from a wide range of communities who might not be as proficient in the English language as one expects. Although interpreters are useful and partly solve the problems of language barriers, they cannot replace an intimate interaction between a nursing professional and a patient. For example, it is stated that “patients with limited proficiency in English have less access to and satisfaction with care. This contributes to health care disparities for these populations” (Boyarsky, 2019, p. 11). In other words, the same healthcare service can be received differently on the basis of lingual barriers.
The Transition in Nursing course and one’s journey to RN involve mandatory interactions with patients, where the aim is not only focused on patient treatment but also on trust and relationship building. In a current patient-centered healthcare environment, where patients are key decision-makers in regard to their healthcare options, it is of paramount importance to enhance their voices in the communication process, which requires the elimination or minimization of communication barriers, such as language. It is important to understand that patients are human beings who behave differently under strict formal interactions, such as being uncomfortable communicating intimate issues (Boyarsky, 2019). Therefore, it is safe to state that encouraging bilingualism is not only an optional bonus but rather a necessity. The latter is especially true in such a multicultural and diverse environment as American society. Such measures reduce inequity in healthcare by reducing disparity in regard to access and patient satisfaction.
Reference
Boyarsky, K. (2019). The small talk matters. American Journal of Nursing, 119(4), 11. Web.