Background: In resource-limited settings such as student-run free clinics with few bilingual volunteers, lack of standardized language documentation can create inefficiencies. At the Doctor’s Volunteer Clinic (DVC), the intake form does not assess language preference. As a result, some bilingual (Spanish-English) patients may be labeled as “Spanish-speaking,” potentially prolonging visit times by assigning them unnecessary Spanish-language assistance.
Objective: To implement a standardized language preference question upon intake and reduce wait times for bilingual patients. Methods: This study will be conducted at the DVC in St. George, Utah, using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. The intake question selected was: In what language would you prefer to receive your medical care today? with response options, English, Spanish, Other, or I am comfortable in either language. Existing data includes total wait time and total visit time per patient. Data will be stratified by English-only, Spanish-only, and bilingual patients.
Outcomes: from 20 clinic hours pre-intervention will be compared to 20 clinic hours post-intervention using statistical process control charts and comparative analysis. Results: Expected outcomes include reduced visit times for bilingual patients selecting “English” or “either,” maintained or improved wait times for Spanish-only patients through better allocation of bilingual volunteers, improved accuracy of language preference documentation, and enhanced clinic efficiency.
Conclusions: A single standardized language preference question is a feasible, low-cost intervention to improve clinic efficiency. Distinguishing between Spanish-speaking and Spanish-preferring patients may reduce unnecessary delays while preserving access for those requiring care in Spanish.
Objective: To implement a standardized language preference question upon intake and reduce wait times for bilingual patients. Methods: This study will be conducted at the DVC in St. George, Utah, using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. The intake question selected was: In what language would you prefer to receive your medical care today? with response options, English, Spanish, Other, or I am comfortable in either language. Existing data includes total wait time and total visit time per patient. Data will be stratified by English-only, Spanish-only, and bilingual patients.
Outcomes: from 20 clinic hours pre-intervention will be compared to 20 clinic hours post-intervention using statistical process control charts and comparative analysis. Results: Expected outcomes include reduced visit times for bilingual patients selecting “English” or “either,” maintained or improved wait times for Spanish-only patients through better allocation of bilingual volunteers, improved accuracy of language preference documentation, and enhanced clinic efficiency.
Conclusions: A single standardized language preference question is a feasible, low-cost intervention to improve clinic efficiency. Distinguishing between Spanish-speaking and Spanish-preferring patients may reduce unnecessary delays while preserving access for those requiring care in Spanish.