Language Barriers in Healthcare: A Digital Divide

In the digital age, patient portals have become a go-to tool for managing health care, offering everything from test results to virtual doctor visits. Yet, for over 25 million Americans who speak little English, these portals can be a roadblock rather than a resource.

Key Findings from the University of Michigan Study

A recent study from the University of Michigan revealed that a significant number of hospitals still only offer their patient portals in English, leaving many in the lurch.

• 29% of hospitals only provided English access to their patient portals.
• 60% offered English and Spanish.
• 11% included English, Spanish, and at least one other language.
• Fewer than 5% of hospitals provided login prompts in the most common non-English, non-Spanish language spoken in their area.

The Impact on Patients

Missing out on vital health care services like virtual visits and secure messaging with doctors can have serious consequences.

"If a patient cannot log in to the patient portal, what health care services are they missing out on and how might that impact their health?"

• Dr. Debbie Chen, Endocrinologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan

Factors Influencing Language Accessibility

• Teaching Hospitals: More likely to offer multiple language options.
• Popular Software: Hospitals using Epic MyChart or Cerner were more likely to offer portal access in multiple languages.
• Regulatory Gaps: Federal rules require hospitals receiving Medicare or other federal funding to provide access to health care services for patients with limited English, but these standards don't always extend to patient portals.

The Way Forward

With the growing number of people with limited English proficiency in the U.S., making patient portals accessible to all is more important than ever. Third-party software providers could play a crucial role in improving accessibility.