How Language Barriers Affect Health and Ways to Overcome Them

By Bridge to Health (Published September 25th, 2025)

Effective communication is essential in healthcare, yet for millions globally, language barriers pose a significant challenge to receiving appropriate medical care. These barriers can lead to improper healthcare, increased health disparities, misdiagnoses, unfulfilled patient satisfaction, and eroded trust between patients and their providers.

The Impact of Language Barriers on Health

Language barriers act as a substantial obstacle in healthcare, resulting in several critical consequences:

1. Miscommunication and Medical Errors

One of the most severe impacts of language barriers is the heightened risk of miscommunication, which can lead to significant medical errors. Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) often struggle to accurately describe their symptoms, understand diagnoses, or follow treatment instructions. Studies indicate that language barriers can result in misunderstandings, incorrect diagnoses, and treatment errors. For example, a systematic review published in PMC revealed that LEP patients faced challenges in medical comprehension, leading to misunderstandings about medical situations (49%), confusion regarding medication use (34.7%), and difficulties interpreting medication labels (41.8%). In some instances, these communication failures resulted in adverse medication reactions (15.8%).

2. Reduced Quality of Care and Patient Safety

Language barriers diminish healthcare delivery quality and compromise patient safety. When providers cannot fully comprehend a patient’s medical history or concerns, the overall quality of care suffers. Research shows that language barriers contribute to observable physical harm in nearly half of LEP patients (49.1%) and moderate temporary harm in almost the same percentage (46.8%). This often results from communication breakdowns (52.4%).

3. Decreased Patient and Provider Satisfaction

The presence of language barriers negatively impacts both patient and provider satisfaction. Patients may feel frustrated, unheard, and disrespected, leading to a lack of trust in their healthcare providers. In turn, healthcare providers may find it challenging to deliver effective care, resulting in professional dissatisfaction and burnout. The systematic review noted that language barriers impede communication, reducing satisfaction on both sides.

4. Inequitable Access to Care

Language barriers restrict access to health-protective resources, perpetuating health inequities. LEP patients frequently avoid seeking necessary healthcare services for fear of miscommunication or difficulties in scheduling appointments. Studies show that LEP patients often miss appointments and experience challenges in scheduling due to language barriers, resulting in delayed diagnoses and deteriorating health outcomes.

5. Increased Healthcare Costs and Length of Stay

While interpreter services can incur additional costs, the lack of effective communication can also contribute to increased healthcare expenses. Patients facing language barriers tend to undergo more extensive diagnostics, including additional lab tests, prolonged emergency department stays, and more hospital admissions. Such occurrences often stem from providers needing to perform extra tests to compensate for communication gaps or from complications resulting from misunderstandings.

Ways to Overcome Language Barriers in Healthcare

Addressing language barriers necessitates innovative approaches that integrate professional services, technological solutions, and cultural competency training:

1. Professional Medical Interpreters

Employing professional medical interpreters is one of the most effective strategies for overcoming language barriers. These trained professionals possess knowledge of medical terminology and ethics, facilitating accurate communication and enhancing diagnostic accuracy, treatments, and patient satisfaction. Healthcare institutions should invest in comprehensive interpreter services, including in-person and remote options.

2. Bilingual Healthcare Providers and Staff

Encouraging and certifying bilingual staff can significantly enhance communication and create a bridge between patients and providers. However, it is crucial to distinguish between casual bilingualism and professional medical interpretation, ensuring interpreters receive the necessary training and certification.

3. Culturally Competent Care

Cultural competency is vital beyond language alone. Healthcare providers should be trained to understand and respect diverse cultural beliefs and practices that may influence health behaviors and decision-making. Training in cultural competency can help providers navigate complexities and foster stronger patient relationships.

4. Bilingual Medical Documentation and Health Education Materials

Providing medical forms, consent documents, and health education materials in multiple languages empowers LEP patients to effectively understand their care, supporting informed decision-making and health management.

5. Leveraging Technology

Utilizing technological solutions, such as online translation tools and medical translation apps, can complement professional interpreter services, especially in urgent situations. While not a replacement for human interpreters, tools like Google Translate and MediBabble can improve satisfaction and healthcare delivery when used appropriately.

6. Policy and Advocacy

Advocating for policies that fund interpreter services, promote cultural competency training, and support data collection on language proficiency is crucial for systemic change. Policy interventions can embed language access within the healthcare system.

Conclusion

Language barriers in healthcare present a significant challenge, impacting patient safety, quality of care, and health equity. By prioritizing professional interpretation, fostering cultural competency, utilizing technology, and implementing supportive policies, healthcare systems can dismantle these barriers and ensure that all individuals receive the high-quality care they deserve.

References

  1. Al Shamsi, H., Almutairi, A. G., Al Mashrafi, S., & Al Kalbani, T. (2020). Implications of Language Barriers for Healthcare: A Systematic Review. Oman Medical Journal, 35(2), e122. Retrieved from PMC7201401
  2. KFF. (2024, May 16). Language Barriers in Health Care: Findings from the KFF Survey on Racism, Discrimination, and Health. Retrieved from KFF Findings
  3. NurseJournal. (2023, September 29). Addressing Language Barriers In Healthcare. Retrieved from Nurse Journal
  4. Slade, S. (2023). Language Barrier – StatPearls. Retrieved from StatPearls
  5. Arine. (2024, March 28). Impact of Language Barriers on Health Equity. Retrieved from Arine
  6. Mayo Clinic. (2023, May 11). Overcoming language barriers to optimize patient care. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic
  7. Quality Interactions. (2024, September 6). 6 Best Practices for Overcoming Language Barriers in Healthcare. Retrieved from Quality Interactions

Language Barriers in Healthcare in South Carolina

South Carolina faces an influx of diverse populations, increasing the demand for comprehensive language services in healthcare. The presence of LEP individuals introduces unique challenges, necessitating targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to care.

Key Challenges and Initiatives in South Carolina

  • Prevalence of LEP: Over 6% of residents in regions served by the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System do not speak English, reflecting a broader trend throughout South Carolina.
  • Impact on Latina Immigrants: Studies focusing on uninsured Latina immigrant women in coastal South Carolina uncover significant language barriers affecting their healthcare access, highlighting the need for improved linguistic accessibility.
  • Medicaid Accessibility: Research has evaluated the linguistic accessibility of Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) handbooks in South Carolina, underscoring the need for clear communication in essential health insurance documentation.
  • State-Level Services: The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) addresses language barriers by providing free services, including qualified interpreters and multilingual written information for LEP individuals.
  • Hospital Initiatives: Hospitals across South Carolina, such as MUSC Health and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, are implementing various strategies, including round-the-clock interpretation services and video remote interpreting to communicate with multicultural patients.
  • Community and Academic Efforts: Academic institutions like the University of South Carolina are conducting research on language services for LEP populations. Organizations such as United Language Group are receiving grants to enhance health access for non-English speaking communities through navigator services.

Importance of Addressing Language Barriers in SC

Addressing language barriers in South Carolina is vital for several reasons:

  • Patient Safety: Accurate communication is essential to prevent misdiagnoses, medication errors, and adverse health events.
  • Health Equity: Ensuring equal healthcare access for all residents, regardless of language proficiency, is a matter of social justice.
  • Improved Health Outcomes: Effective communication fosters better patient understanding, adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately improved health outcomes.
  • Compliance with Regulations: Federal regulations, such as the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS), mandate accessible healthcare for LEP individuals.

By investing in professional interpretation, bilingual staff, technological solutions, and state-level policies, South Carolina can make significant advancements in overcoming language barriers and fostering a more inclusive healthcare system.