Tips and Advice for Providers Serving the Latino Community

Advice for Healthcare Providers on Serving the Latino Community – HispanicNews.org

I’m excited to share my recent contribution to HispanicNews.org in the article, “Advice for Healthcare Providers on Serving the Latino Community.” In this piece, I offer insights on how health providers can build stronger, more culturally attuned relationships with Latinx clients.

The following is my contribution:

Connecting with clients of diverse backgrounds is crucial to improving treatment adherence, promoting the continuation of services, and avoiding early termination. When working with the Latinx community, I suggest patient-centered care, respect for cultural beliefs, and proactive learning.

When focusing on patient-centered care, some aspects to consider are having a non-judgmental approach, providing services in the client's native language, and building a connection with them. Members of the Latinx community may hesitate to seek services due to time constraints, mistrust in the healthcare system, limited financial resources, or fear. For that reason, when they do seek services, providers are in a unique position to provide a corrective or positive experience. When Latinx clients express their problems, providers can validate their concerns and avoid assuming an authoritative role. I'd recommend viewing the interaction as a collaborative process where providers take the time to explain their responses clearly and minimize jargon.

Furthermore, it's critical to provide services in the client's native language. Agencies can mitigate linguistic concerns by having bilingual staff or translation services available. In alignment with patient-centered care, providers can assess their Latinx clients' needs by asking them how they can make their experience more comfortable. For some individuals, this may include family or loved ones in the room with them. Making these types of accommodations, when possible, can decrease their anxiety and promote comfort.

Providers don't need to be experts on the Latinx community to provide quality treatment. Instead, it's crucial to be respectful of their views, values, and experiences. For example, in my practice, many Latinx clients are hesitant to take psychotropic medication. I validate their concerns and encourage them to ask questions to the designated professionals to help them make an informed choice. Other clients prefer natural remedies, community healers, or religion instead. I'd avoid challenging their protective factors but instead, focus on working alongside them. If a provider is unaware of cultural beliefs, I invite them to become curious and ask questions. Agencies can take a proactive approach by facilitating cultural sensitivity training or courses.

Developing culturally sensitive spaces takes time. People reading and comprehending this information are already taking steps in the right direction.