Comparison of clinical pharmacist visits based on language preference in an urban underserved clinic: A cross‐sectional analysis

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPersons who prefer a language other than English, termed Non‐English Language Preferred (NELP), experience lower health literacy and additional social determinants of health challenges when compared to English Language Preferred (ELP) patients. Non‐English Language Preferred persons have the potential to benefit from comprehensive medication management (CMM) services.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional analysis of all patients seen by a clinical pharmacist (CP) at a single, urban family medicine clinic during 2021. Statistical analysis was completed to determine if there were differences between NELP and ELP patients in number of visits, visit type and duration, number and type of medication therapy problems (MTPs), and whether the patient was seen by a physician the same day.ResultsA total of 383 patients (57.7% ELP), resulting in 815 total visits (53.5% ELP) were seen by a CP in 2021. There was no difference in the mean number of CP visits per patient (2.0 for ELP, 2.3 for NELP; p = 0.104). There was no difference in the mean number of MTPs between groups (1.9 for ELP, 2.1 for NELP; p = 0.112); however, NELP patients were more likely to have a MTP of “dose too low” (12.9 vs. 21.1%; p = 0.003). Additionally, NELP patients had 11.2% fewer virtual visits than ELP patients (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the type of visit (CMM vs. consult, p = 0.628), whether the visit occurred the same day as a physician visit (p = 0.064), or visit duration between groups (p = 0.740).ConclusionNon‐English Language Preferred patients were more likely to have an in‐person visit, and were more likely to have a MTP of “dose too low.” Understanding key differences in CP visits between ELP and NELP patients can help inform future CP care.