Healthcare is a crucial sector that determines the wellbeing of American society. Therefore, there is a need to ensure all determinants are adjusted to align with the required standards. Andermann (2016), contends that healthcare providers should promote health equity by recognizing and integrating key social aspects from the available population. Social determinants are vital because they play a significant role in how to administer care effectively. Considering that English is the universal language utilized by many care providers, patients who do not understand the language may experience difficulties. This is an aspect that has been attributed to the availability of many ethnic groups in America. According to Healthy People (2020), there are significant health-related impact emanating from poor communication in English. Thus, there is a need for healthcare professionals to acknowledge the native language of the patient to attain quality and effective care.
Secondly, the level of education is another social determinant that is significant in healthcare. This is because the level of literacy will determine how effective and fast communication between healthcare providers and patients is achieved. According to Farmanova, Bonneville, and Bouchard (2020), organizational health literacy is critical in bolstering quality care amid the literacy barrier. In instances where a patient does not have the expected level of literacy, other interventions should be employed to attain the intended care. The issue of using different language among American citizens is common and therefore, should not be a hindrance to quality care. This is an implication that healthcare professionals should be sensitive to culture and look for an interpreter if possible. These two vital interventions will ensure that the barrier of language in healthcare is removed. Low literacy level is yet another feature that ought to be considered as a hindrance to quality healthcare. In this instance, the individual has low levels of education is a problem that makes it challenging to communicate with care providers. Thus, there is a need for healthcare providers to learn vital expressions that will ensure the level of literacy does not inhibit health care. These interventions are significant in sealing the gaps created by social determinants such as language and education levels.
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References
Andermann, A., & CLEAR Collaboration (2016). Taking action on the social determinants of health in clinical practice: a framework for health professionals. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal de L'Association Medicale Canadienne , 188 (17-18), E474–E483. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160177.
Farmanova, E., Bonneville, L., & Bouchard, L. (2018). Organizational health literacy: Review of theories, frameworks, guides, and implementation issues. Inquiry: A Journal of Medical Care Organization, Provision and Financing , 55 , 46958018757848. doi:10.1177/0046958018757848.
Healthy People. (2020). https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-health/interventions-resources/language-and-literacy .
