Impact of Language Barriers on Patients Care: A Case Study of Pashto Speaking Patients in PIMS hospital Islamabad

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of language barriers on patient care in Pakistan from the perspective of patients who do not speak the primary language of their healthcare provider. Qualitative research was carried out at Islamabad Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Science, where five admitted patients from different departments were selected using purposive sampling technique after obtaining their consent, and data was gathered through semi- structured interviews conducted over a period of three weeks. The interviews were transcribed, and a manual qualitative thematic analysis was performed, resulting in the generation of codes, subthemes, and themes, that assessed their satisfaction with healthcare services, communication with healthcare providers, accuracy of medical diagnoses and treatment plans, adherence to prescribed treatments and medications, emotional Impact, trust in healthcare providers, quality of Care, patents satisfaction , timeliness of healthcare services and interventions, engagement in shared decision-making processes, overall health outcomes and well-being, and access to and use of healthcare facilities. The results of the study suggest that language barriers have a significant negative impact on patient care and outcomes in Pakistan, including patient satisfaction, communication, accuracy of diagnoses and treatment plans, adherence to treatments and medications, trust in healthcare providers, cultural competency of healthcare providers, timeliness of healthcare services, engagement in shared decision-making processes, overall health outcomes and well-being, and access to and use of healthcare facilities.