RT Journal
A1 Bryan YF
T1 COmmunicating with spanish-speaking patients
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2009
FD June 10
VO 301
IS 22
SP 2327
OP 2328
DO 10.1001/jama.2009.766
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.766
AB 
To the Editor: The Commentary by Drs Diamond and Reuland1 and the Perspectives on Care at the Close of Life article by Dr Smith and colleagues2 raised issues around communication with Spanish-speaking patients. There is a tendency to label all Spanish-speaking people or those of a Spanish background as speaking Spanish in the same or similar manner. This may give a false impression that a Spanish interpreter or translator in a medical setting will be able to clearly speak Spanish with all patients. It may also be assumed that the patient will understand whatever kind of Spanish is spoken and that there are no differences in dialect or colloquialism used to report symptoms to medical staff through the interpreter. These assumptions may incorporate a cultural bias.