Language Barriers and Patient Safety: A Study of Patients with Asthma

Sharon Lee, Principal Investigator
lees@pdx.edu
503-725-3962

Matthew Carlson, Co-Investigator
carlsonm@pdx.edu
503-725-9554

The study is being conducted with Charles Gallia with the Oregon Office of Medical Assistance Programs and is also funded by a PSU Faculty Enhancement Grant.

This is an exploratory study of the role of limited English proficiency on asthmatic patients’ health and health care.  The general hypothesis guiding the study is that language barriers will adversely affect asthmatic patients’ health and health care, leading to poorer outcomes and reduced patient safety for LEP asthmatic patients, compared with non-LEP patients.