EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion DEI Embracing Language Diversity in Physical Therapy

Enhancing Patient Care and Cultural Inclusion

By Marilex Santiago, DEI Lead & Administrative Coordinator

According to the 2020 Census, 22.3% of people in Connecticut speak a language other than English at home, which means about 1 in 4 people are non-English speakers. The CT community is a melting pot of languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian - talk about variety! Read on to learn why language diversity plays a pivotal role in PT, and what resources are available to help create an inclusive environment.

So, why does this matter? It's all about leveling up patient care and creating an inclusive healthcare space. When patients can communicate in their native language, magic happens! They can describe their symptoms and medical history more accurately, which helps therapists diagnose and treat them better. Improved communication also facilitates a stronger therapeutic relationship, as patients feel more comfortable and supported during their rehabilitation journey.

It’s not just about the patients; therapists also get to learn from di erent cultures, making them more well-rounded and empathetic professionals. PTs who are familiar with cultural nuances can tailor their approach to better align with patients’ beliefs and values. This cultural sensitivity aids in building trust and also prevents misunderstandings that could impede progress and recovery.

To help foster an inclusive environment, PTSMC has created a language resource that can be found here. This language resource is an up-to-date list of clinicians, PT Aides, and front o ce sta who can speak another language and feel comfortable translating for patients. If a patient would like to seek care at your location and no one speaks their language, there are resources online such as Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, and DeepL Translate. In addition, PTSMC is working on paperwork translations and o ce signage in various languages. If you have any suggestions or questions, we’d love to hear it –Marilex.Santiago@ptsmc.com

By embracing language diversity, physical therapy becomes an awesome experience for all, and it shows that we value every single patient, no matter what language they speak. So, let's celebrate language diversity and make patient care as diverse as our community.