Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Associated Press - November 18, 2006
Dionne Walker
Moments later, the Guatemalan was seen by Spanish-speaking specialists who offered services within her meager budget - a big difference from her experience at a nearby Richmond hospital.
"They have only seen me for mammograms," said Morales, 65, a gardener at a local country club who complained the hospital was too pricey and staff didn't understand Spanish.
She spoke through a translator.
Medical professionals discussed strategies for overcoming language barriers - as well as cultural misunderstandings blocking effective treatment - at the first central Virginia Latino health summit in Richmond Friday.
"(This) was really driven by the service providers, health care providers and social service agencies who are seeing increasing demand," explained Sheryl Garland, administrative director for Virginia Commonwealth University's Center on Health Disparities, event organizers.
Garland said providers increasingly find reaching Latinos involves more than translating pamphlets into Spanish.
"It's not just about speaking the language of a population, but also understanding cultural things and the differences in values and norms that make a difference in the outcome," she said.
Topics Friday included overcoming stereotypes; understanding laws surrounding immigrant health care; and communicating through interpreters in health care settings.
Vivian Bruzzese, an internal medicine doctor with Cross Over, discussed HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
Panelists explained while Latinos are among the hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, many don't understand how the virus is transmitted.
Bruzzese suggested culturally tailored prevention efforts.
"Previous messages (that) may have been developed for other groups haven't really been studied for Latinos," she said.
Census statistics show 438,789 Latinos lived in Virginia in 2000, though experts say there are many more undocumented immigrants.
They suffer a range of health care problems, from obesity and high blood pressure to a lack of insurance.
Other barriers are cultural. Garland pointed to the tendency of many Latinos to tote mom, dad and kids along for routine doctor's visits.
"When you go to the doctor, for some of the Latino populations, the family goes," said Garland, adding cultural differences in who makes medical decisions and who enters the exam room can create tension. "In our culture, it is a private event."
Perhaps most glaring is the language barrier. One problem is translation: While a bottle of pills may read "Take once a day" in English, Camilo Castillo, a clinical researcher at Richmond's McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, said "once" is easily misinterpreted as the Spanish word for 11.
Morales' problem is direct communication. She understands some English and speaks a few words. But she couldn't explain to hospital staff recently that soups and spices make her stomach hurt.
Friday, clinicians worked to sort out her chronic colon problems, while across town, doctors brainstormed on how to help more people like her.
"You're sitting here," Castillo told a group of providers during a panel on Latino cancer rates. "That's a big step."
061118
AP061137
Copyright © 2006 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2006. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .