Assessing Language Assist Program Usage in Retail Pharmacies Through An Online Survey Among AzPA Members

Abstract

Specific Aims: To find out if pharmacists use translation assist programs when counseling patients who have very limited ability to speak or understand English. Subjects: Pharmacists in Arizona who are employed at least part-time and work in a community setting. Methods: Surveys were distributed through the Arizona Pharmacists Association (AzPA) newsletter to community pharmacists. Participants were questioned about demographics including work environment, English as a first language, and gender. Other information collected included how busy the pharmacist’s store was, how many opportunities they had to use a language assist program, if their employer provided a language assist service, if they used the service, and what some reasons may be for not using a language assist service. Main Results: Surveys were complete by 58 pharmacists in Arizona. 52 of the 58 participants (90%) said that their employer provided a language assist program, but only half reported that they actually use it. The most common reason reported for not using a translation service was because they were “too busy or did not have enough time” (69%). No statistically significant results were found comparing translation service use between rural versus urban pharmacists, pharmacists with different script volumes, or the number of years a pharmacist has been working. Conclusion: Although more pharmacists were aware of translation services available than predicted, only half of the pharmacists reported using the service.