The impact of English proficiency on outcomes after bariatric surgery

Association of Language Barriers With Perioperative and Surgical Outcomes

“…After title and abstract review, 70 manuscripts were identified for full-text review. After full-text review, 29 studies met the inclusion criteria (eTable 2 in Supplement 1).…”

“…All included studies were observational, and 26 of 29 studies were retrospective. All were cohort studies except for 1 cross-sectional study.…”

“…Studies reported findings from academic hospital settings and community hospitals. Eighteen of 29 studies were performed at a single center, whereas 5 studies were multicenter and 6 studies used a statewide or nationwide database (Table 1).…”

“…Many studies used a non-English preferred language as a proxy for LEP. Nine studies confirmed LEP using multiple methods, such as both self-report of non-English preferred language and documentation of interpreter requirements, both self-report of non-English preferred language and self-identification of Hispanic ethnicity, cross-checking self-reported preferred language by both electronic records and discharge instructions combined with accrual of interpreter service charges, or some other method . Some studies evaluated LEP via structural interview by research clerks or a patient-initiated screening tool .…”

“…Five studies assessed postoperative complications, including wound infection, adverse graft event, major adverse cardiac events, major morbidities based on the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program risk calculator criteria, and general short-term postoperative complications . Only 1 included study observed a significant association between LEP and complications.…”