Using medical interpreters to provide culturally competent care

摘要

As the United States becomes an increasingly multicultural nation, health care organizations must provide culturally competent care to patients. Culturally competent care can be described as "the ability to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs, and behaviors, including tailoring delivery to meet patients' social, cultural, and linguistic needs."1 According to an American Community Survey Report, in 2011 there were 25.3 million individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), both foreign-born and native citizens, residing in the United States.