Biological Indicators of health and language of care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the effect of language on the health outcomes of people with chronic conditions.
IRAS ID
321570
Contact name
Alwena H Morgan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University.
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, months, 30 days
Research summary
Previous studies have shown that use of language most suitable for the patient is an essential part of effective communication and expression (Irvine et al.2006; Roberts et al.2007). Failure to use appropriate language can negatively impact a patient's health opportunities (Roberts et al.2007). Language barriers can lead to miscommunication between the patient and health carer which is detrimental to patient safety(Chandrashekar et al.,2022). Furthermore, language discordance (the lack of language continuity between the health carer and patient) leads to delayed treatment, misdiagnosis, longer hospital stays, medication errors, increased risk of adverse events, or death (Al-Shamsi et al.2020; Bowen 2015; de Moissac & Bowen,2019).
There is research that investigates the link between linguistic concordance and the impact on patient health results, particularly for patients with long-term conditions. Fernandez et al. (2011) reported that a lack of English proficiency contributed to poorer management of diabetes among the Latino population. Importantly, Parker et al. (2017) showed that there was an improvement in the management of diabetes when Latino patients switched from an English only to a Spanish-speaking physician. However, there is a lack of biological evidence in the Welsh context in the literature.
This is a case/control study that will examine patient health records to investigate whether care in English for people whose first language is Welsh affects their long-term health results. Patients that are bilingual (Welsh/English) and English only speaking with long-term conditions (either type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or hypertension) will be recruited to the study. They will consent to the access of their medical records and the recording of health results that are associated with their conditions. Results from this study will indicate whether biological results are better managed in Welsh speaking patients when their healthcare is carried out in Welsh.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/WM/0239
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion