Access to health information has been an intractable determinant of health disparities in Latino communities. While limited English proficiency and low health literacy are widely researched determinants of inadequate access to health information, we also know need to know more about other social factors that can improve access, such as social support, culturally resonant messaging, and trust between patient and provider.

Engaging Language Professionals in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) is a collaborative and evolving research project funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Our project seeks to build capacity among language professionals to increase their readiness to participate in PCOR and comparative effectiveness research with Spanish-speaking communities. Through our award, we developed significant contacts with language access policymakers, language researchers and health care interpreters through online webinars and statewide conferences. As COVID-19 continues to affect Spanish-speaking communities at an alarming rate, we have developed plans to extend our research to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on. Spanish speakers and gain a clear understanding of the system features that have aggravated disparities in the context of a public health emergency.

KEY TERMS

patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR):

Research that helps people and their caregivers communicate and make informed healthcare decisions, while allowing their voices to be heard in assessing the value of healthcare options. This research answers patient-centered questions. See PCORI’s website to learn more.

comparative effectiveness research (CER)

The direct comparison of two or more existing healthcare interventions to determine which interventions work best for which patients and which interventions pose the greatest benefits and harms. The core question of CER is which treatment works best, for whom, and under what circumstances.