Language Interpretation as a Patient Right

Needs Statement

General internists (hospitalists and primary care clinicians) prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide spectrum of complex medical conditions requiring ongoing education to stay current with evolving clinical guidelines and to effectively manage complex medical conditions across inpatient and outpatient settings. Educational needs include improving knowledge and competence in perioperative cardiovascular risk assessment and management, particularly in applying updated evidence-based guidelines, enhancing the ability to care for adult patients with cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure, stroke, and congenital heart disease. For example, the management of congenital heart disease may differ significantly from that of patients with acquired cardiovascular disease. Additionally, clinicians need training in developing practical skills in nutrition therapy, including the use of food as medicine to support chronic disease management, and effective bedside teaching strategies to support learner development and in fostering professionalism as a foundation for high-quality, patient-centered care.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the activity, the participants should be able to:

• Describe an overview of clinical outcomes when patients have limited English proficiency.
• Summarize benefits when using language interpreters in clinical settings.
• Apply ethical strategies for effective use of interpretation services by health care professionals.

Target Audience

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

Educational Methods

• Lectures

Accreditation/Credit Designation

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity has been designated by Baylor College of Medicine for 1.25 credit of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.

Term of Approval

February 1, 2026 through February 29, 2028. Original release date: February 1, 2026.

Disclosure Policy

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.

In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.

BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.