Health Care Engagement of Limited English Proficient Latino Families: Lessons Learned from Advisory Board Development.

Abstract

Specific information on the development and evaluation of patient/family engagement in health care improvement for populations with limited English proficiency (LEP) is lacking. We sought to provide information for use by other health care organizations aiming to engage LEP populations through advisory groups. Informed by community-based research principles, we formed a family advisory board of LEP Latino families and conducted a multimodal evaluation of initial implementation and partnership development. The board met process measures goals for sustained engagement of LEP families and for establishing a group structure and process. Board outcomes included contributions to clinic educational materials and initiation of a project to increase the child friendliness of the physical space. Mothers on the board reported satisfaction with their participation. We successfully sustained engagement of LEP Latino families in health care improvement using an advisory board. To promote patient-centered care and address health care disparities, LEP populations should be included in patient engagement programs.