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Medical Characteristics of Foreign Language Patients in Paramedic Care

Author

Listed:
  • Frank Müller

    (Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Eva Hummers

    (Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Eva Maria Noack

    (Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany)

Abstract

Background: In this study, medical and socio-demographic characteristics of foreign language patients in prehospital emergency medical care are analyzed and compared with non-foreign language patients. Methods: We performed retrospective chart review of rescue operations in four emergency medical service stations in Northern Germany over seven months as part of the DICTUM Rescue study (DRKS00016719). We performed descriptive analyses including test statistics and used partial correlation to adjust for patients’ sex and age. Results: Patients with limited German proficiency were served in 2.2% of all 7494 covered rescue operations. On average, these patients were two decades younger than their German speaking counterparts. There were significantly more patients with limited German proficiency with gynecological and obstetric problems, especially births, as well as psychiatric disorders, especially suicide attempts. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the existing preventive programs for pregnant women and people at risk of suicide do not sufficiently reach patients with limited German proficiency. Additionally, giving birth and psychiatric breakdowns are exceptional and sensitive situations, both for patients and the paramedic staff, where the ability to communicate safely appears to be of enormous importance to enable safe treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank Müller & Eva Hummers & Eva Maria Noack, 2020. "Medical Characteristics of Foreign Language Patients in Paramedic Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-9, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6306-:d:406091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christian Dopfer & Annabelle Vakilzadeh & Christine Happle & Evelyn Kleinert & Frank Müller & Diana Ernst & Reinhold E. Schmidt & Georg M. N. Behrens & Sonja Merkesdal & Martin Wetzke & Alexandra Jabl, 2018. "Pregnancy Related Health Care Needs in Refugees—A Current Three Center Experience in Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, September.
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