Preferred Language, Patient-Provider Interactions and Standardized Outcome Assessment in Patients With Pediatric Rheumatologic Conditions.
Families preferring a non-English language initiated fewer communications with rheumatology care teams
Preferred Language, Patient-Provider Interactions and Standardized Outcome Assessment in Patients With Pediatric Rheumatologic Conditions.
For families navigating juvenile idiopathic arthritis (juvenile idiopathic arthritis) or systemic lupus erythematosus (systemic lupus erythematosus), effective communication with health care teams is vital.
In this retrospective cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus at a tertiary care center (2016-2024), patients with LPOE were matched one-to-two to English language preference (english language preference) counterparts by age, diagnosis, polyarticular course, and disease duration.
families preferring another language initiated fewer communications with the care team
We matched 60 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis/systemic lupus erythematosus in families with LPOE to 107 counterparts with english language preference.
Moreover, families with LPOE initiated 0.18-fold fewer communications during the COVID-19 pandemic (P < 0.001 for interaction).
There was no significant difference in provider-initiated communication frequency by language preference.
Physician visual analog scale were less often completed for families with LPOE (adjusted OR 0.58 [0.32-1.03]), but this difference was not statistically significant.
Reduced communication frequency between families with LPOE with care teams may drive language-related disparities, particularly during periods of system stress.
Enhanced outreach to families with barriers to health care engagement may facilitate more equitable care delivery.