The association of language barriers with perioperative outcomes differs between Spanish-speaking and non-Spanish-speaking patients

Narrative synthesis #

Five included studies subcategorized LEP patients into Spanish-speaking vs other languages, and the review repeatedly found that the direction and significance of associations depended on this subgroup: reduced access to care was significant only for non–Spanish-speaking LEP in one study; higher postoperative complications after neuro-oncologic surgery were specific to non–Spanish-speaking LEP; and, conversely, Spanish-speaking LEP was associated with lower odds of skilled-facility discharge and shorter LOS in some cohorts. This heterogeneity by language group is one reason the review declines to pool estimates. Certainty/GRADE appraisal is left for expert review.

"Some additional differences in associations were found between patients with limited English proficiency who spoke Spanish vs other languages." (Joo, 2023, p. 1)

"Five studies subcategorized the preferred language of patients with LEP into Spanish vs others. Studies that solely used ethnicity or country of birth as a proxy for language proficiency were excluded from this systematic review." (Joo, 2023, p. 6)