Publications

Linguistic interpretation ameliorates health disparities disfavoring underserved limited English-proficient patients, yet few studies have compared clinician satisfaction with these services. Self-administered clinician post-visit surveys compared the quality of interpretation and communication, visit satisfaction, degree of patient engagement, and cultural competence of visits using untrained people acting as interpreters (ad hoc), in-person professional, or video conferencing professional interpretation for 283 visits. Adjusting for clinician and patient characteristics, the quality of interpretation of in-person and video conferencing modes were rated similarly (OR 1.79, 95% CI 0.74, 4.33). The quality of in-person (OR 5.55, 95% CI 1.50, 20.51) and video conferencing (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.16, 8.31) were rated higher than ad hoc interpretation. Self-assessed cultural competence was better for in-person versus video conferencing interpretation (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.11, 4.86). Video conferencing interpretation increases access without compromising quality, but cultural nuances may be better addressed by in-person interpreters. Professional interpretation is superior to ad hoc (OR 4.15, 95% CI 1.43, 12.09).

BACKGROUND

Rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) appear to be increasing among nonwhite populations outside the United States, but national data describing the incidence and prevalence of IBD are not available for minority patients. The aim of this study was to examine time trends of hospital discharge among minority patients with IBD.

METHODS

Nationally representative data describing hospital discharges were obtained from the National Hospital Discharge Survey for the years 1994 to 2006. Race-specific annual proportions of hospitalizations including a discharge diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease were calculated. Trends in proportions were assessed for statistical significance using the extended Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test for trend.

RESULTS

The proportion of hospitalizations including a discharge diagnosis of IBD increased significantly from 1994 to 2006 among the total population and among Asian, black, and white patients separately. Increases were statistically significant when analysis was performed for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis combined and separately. Marked increases were seen among Asians.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of hospitalizations including a discharge diagnosis of IBD increased significantly among minority and nonminority patients from 1994 through 2006. The causes underlying these changes are not certain and should be further investigated.