How to improve communication with French-speaking patients in emergencies

To improve communication with French-speaking patients in emergencies, the best practices include:

• Identifying Francophone patients early by asking about their preferred official language for communication, and clearly offering language services in French to encourage use. ¹

• Using professional interpreters whenever possible, as they are considered the gold standard for communication with patients who have limited proficiency in the provider’s language. If interpreters are not available, using telephone or video interpretation services can help. ^{2, 1}

• Employing digital communication tools and translation apps designed specifically for emergency settings to overcome language barriers quickly and accurately. These tools help paramedics and emergency staff gather vital patient information and explain treatments. ^{3, 4, 5, 6}

• Training healthcare providers in basic French phrases relevant to emergency care can help initiate communication and build patient trust. ¹

• Ensuring that communication efforts prioritize clarity, brevity, and the use of simple language or visuals to enhance understanding in high-stress emergency contexts. ^{7, 2}

• Having organizational policies that promote accountability and readiness for language barrier situations, including availability of interpreters and technology support in emergency departments. ⁸

In summary, combining professional interpreters, technology aids, simple communication strategies, and early identification improves communication with French-speaking patients in emergencies, ultimately enhancing care quality and patient safety. ^{6, 2, 1}

References

• Francophone patients

• Addressing Language Barriers in the Intensive Care Unit: A Case-Based Reflection and Brief Appraisal of the Literature

• Overcoming language barriers in paramedic care: a study protocol of the interventional trial ‘DICTUM rescue’ evaluating an app designed to improve communication between paramedics and foreign-language patients

• Designing an App to Overcome Language Barriers in the Delivery of Emergency Medical Services: Participatory Development Process

• Designing an App to Overcome Language Barriers in the Delivery of Emergency Medical Services: Participatory Development Process

• Overcoming language barriers in paramedic care: a study protocol of the interventional trial ‘DICTUM rescue’ evaluating an app designed to improve communication between paramedics and foreign-language patients

• Improving Medical Communication: Skills for a Complex (And Multilingual) Clinical World

• Overcoming language barriers with foreign-language speaking patients: a survey to investigate intra-hospital variation in attitudes and practices

• Breaking through barriers: the need for effective research to promote language‐concordant communication as a facilitator of equitable emergency care

• Overcoming language barriers in healthcare: A protocol for investigating safe and effective communication when patients or clinicians use a second language

• Overcoming language barriers with foreign-language speaking patients: a survey to investigate intra-hospital variation in attitudes and practices

• Improving Medical Communication: Skills for a Complex (And Multilingual) Clinical World

• Improving communication between physicians and patients who speak a foreign language.

• Artificial Intelligence-Driven Translation Tools in Intensive Care Units for Enhancing Communication and Research

• Electronic Tools to Bridge the Language Gap in Health Care for People Who Have Migrated: Systematic Review

• The Need for More Prehospital Research on Language Barriers: A Narrative Review