CE for Pharmacists & Technicians: Speaking the Patient’s Language: Elevating Pharmacy Practice Through Language-Appropriate Care
by Robert M. Mueller, PharmD, BCPS
Learning Objectives:
Abstract:Language equity is essential to safe, patient-centered pharmacy care. As the number of patients with diverse language needs continues to grow, pharmacy professionals must be prepared to communicate in ways that support understanding, trust, medication safety, and meaningful engagement in care. This article explores the impact of language discordance on health outcomes and defines language-appropriate care as communication tailored to a patient’s preferred language and cultural needs.
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can support language equity through qualified language-concordant care or the appropriate use of professional medical interpreters. The article also outlines why machine translation tools and ad hoc interpreters, including family members or untrained staff, should not replace professional interpretation in clinical encounters. Practical recommendations are provided for individuals and organizations, including documenting language preferences, assessing language proficiency, expanding interpreter access, offering translated materials, and establishing clear language-appropriate care policies.
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2026 July/August Table of Contents
Learning Objectives:
- Summarize how patient language needs impact healthcare outcomes and how these needs differ across various populations and settings.
- Define language equity in healthcare and recommended options for providing language-appropriate care.
- Discuss strategies for individuals to enhance the delivery of language-appropriate care in pharmacy practice.
- Discuss strategies for institutions to improve the provision of language-appropriate care in pharmacy practice.
Abstract:Language equity is essential to safe, patient-centered pharmacy care. As the number of patients with diverse language needs continues to grow, pharmacy professionals must be prepared to communicate in ways that support understanding, trust, medication safety, and meaningful engagement in care. This article explores the impact of language discordance on health outcomes and defines language-appropriate care as communication tailored to a patient’s preferred language and cultural needs.
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can support language equity through qualified language-concordant care or the appropriate use of professional medical interpreters. The article also outlines why machine translation tools and ad hoc interpreters, including family members or untrained staff, should not replace professional interpretation in clinical encounters. Practical recommendations are provided for individuals and organizations, including documenting language preferences, assessing language proficiency, expanding interpreter access, offering translated materials, and establishing clear language-appropriate care policies.
Download PDF
2026 July/August Table of Contents