Hispanics shift hospitals' resources (Dallas Morning News)

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Hispanics shift hospitals' resources (Dallas Morning News)

Published: Sat, 15 Sep 2007 20:07:12 GMT

Last year, for the first time, fully half of Parkland Hospital's patients were Hispanic. Over at Methodist Dallas Medical Center in Oak Cliff and Methodist Charlton Medical Center in southwest Dallas, 22 percent of patients last year were Hispanic ? up from 14 percent just 10 years ago.

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[Richard Hom]

Hispanic shift...

Has anyone seen a shift in their patient base toward more diverse backgrounds?

 

[Pete Jung]

I just saw a documentary on PBS...

Has anyone seen a shift in their patient base toward more diverse backgrounds?

and they stated that by 2011 1 out of 6 people in the US will be of Hispanic origin. I also found out that the term Latin or Hispanic was government contrived to "describe people of Spanish Heritage."

But to answer your question, yes I have noticed a large shift in my patient demographic.

 

[Richard Hom]

and they stated that by 2011 1 out of 6 people in the US will be of Hispanic origin. I also found out that the term Latin or Hispanic was government contrived to "describe people of Spanish Heritage."

But to answer your question, yes I have noticed a large shift in my patient demographic.

Dr Jung,

Thanks for your post.

Did you know or plan for it? If so, what steps will you take to accommodate this changing demographic?

 

[Stephen McDaniel]

I've decided to be proactive. I've posted a sign written in Spanish at the entrance of the office, advertising free English speaking courses at the local community college. Oh...also says we welcome cash.

Hey, I don't want anyone saying I didn't do my part.

 

[Pete Jung]

nothing new really...

Dr Jung,

Thanks for your post.

Did you know or plan for it? If so, what steps will you take to accommodate this changing demographic?

since i reside in los angeles, it really has not been a surprise.

i already speak enough spanish to perform an eye exam. i have had spanish magazines and educational pamphlets around. having a fluent spanish speaker helps with sales. but nothing "extra" to get the hispanic population into the office.

from my experience though, spanish speakers refer more then any other patient base. this is one point that really stands out! if a patient enjoys an exam with you, he/she will refer at least three other people guaranteed!

 

[Richard Hom]

since i reside in los angeles, it really has not been a surprise.

i already speak enough spanish to perform an eye exam. i have had spanish magazines and educational pamphlets around. having a fluent spanish speaker helps with sales. but nothing "extra" to get the hispanic population into the office.

from my experience though, spanish speakers refer more then any other patient base. this is one point that really stands out! if a patient enjoys an exam with you, he/she will refer at least three other people guaranteed!

Dr Jung,

I know. I was trying to tell the other doctors who have blinders on that it's better to adapt and not turn away all of those patients. I've always said that there are a lot of patients out there that haven't been courted.

 

[Paul Farkas]

Point of information...

Are the Spanish speaking patients who are not on Medicaid more likely to be private pay? Intuitively, it seems that this group plus other non-English speaking immigrants make up a good segment of the working poor without health care benefits.

Any experiences to share?

 

[Jason Wallace]

I took Spanish in HS and College, and also went on the Mexico optometry rotation in school. I'm glad I did, though I havent needed it at my main office yet surprisingly. I think if I had a pt or two who I spoke spanish with exclusively, word would get out and I would see more. I do eye exams at a prison, and just from my observations, it seems 10-15% of inmates are hispanic. Or at least the ones that get referred to optometry.

 

[Richard Hom]

Are the Spanish speaking patients who are not on Medicaid more likely to be private pay? Intuitively, it seems that this group plus other non-English speaking immigrants make up a good segment of the working poor without health care benefits.

Any experiences to share?

Paul,

In my opinion, many of these patients will cash pay for things and although it is true that they may not pay their balances off completely, they are still a broad based clientele. I suppose, I suffer less because I dont' sell materials which means I'm heavily dependent upon their third party to cover them.

Yet, I've seen time and again that relatives will help buy them spectacles like PALs. Therefore, they might not have the $ but their relatives do.

 

[Sneak Sanders]

Dr Jung,

I know. I was trying to tell the other doctors who have blinders on that it's better to adapt and not turn away all of those patients. I've always said that there are a lot of patients out there that haven't been courted.

Why should we adapt? Asians, Italians, and etc. learned the English language, why not hispanics? This converting everything to Spanish is costing the U.S. lots of money.

 

[Pete Jung]

good point...

Dr Jung,

I know. I was trying to tell the other doctors who have blinders on that it's better to adapt and not turn away all of those patients. I've always said that there are a lot of patients out there that haven't been courted.

my spanish patients are also all cash paying. i thought you knew since you also live in california. i get your point now.

 

[Pete Jung]

english language..

Why should we adapt? Asians, Italians, and etc. learned the English language, why not hispanics? This converting everything to Spanish is costing the U.S. lots of money.

i like to embrace other cultures but English should be a requirement. i am not stating to eradicate the Spanish language in the states. but there is nothing more annoying then when i go to a ATM machine and i have to pick English as my language from a bevy of other languages.

 

[Paul Farkas]

Not all immigrant groups are equal

Dr Jung,

I know. I was trying to tell the other doctors who have blinders on that it's better to adapt and not turn away all of those patients. I've always said that there are a lot of patients out there that haven't been courted.

My former practice has built an an amazing niche with Japanese families who are executives for their home company in the US on a temporary basis. One assistant fluent in Japanese, has netted a mid six figure increase in gross from this group of cash paying patients.