The Impact of Language on the Relationship Between Spanish-Speaking Women and Their Healthcare Providers

The impact of language on the relationship of trust between Spanish-speaking women and their healthcare providres was examined through a questionnaire survey at Esperanza Health Center in Northeast Philadelphia. Eighty percent of the participants (n=25) felt it was very important to have a Spanish-speakin doctor, even if a translator was available. Forty-four percent (n=11) stated they would be less likely to follow health advice from a doctor who did not speak Spanish. Fifty percent (n=12) of the participants preferred to see a female doctor, although this was not correlated with any other findings. This resesarch suggests that the language barrier is an important contributor to lack of trust in the relationship between Spanish-speaking women and their health providers