Improving Medical and Surgical Care: A Qualitative Study of Medical Students' Experience With Language Barriers in Healthcare.

Objective This study aims to investigate the experiences of medical students in teaching and practice concerning communication with patients exhibiting limited English proficiency (LEP). With a growing population in the United Kingdom facing language barriers, this research explores the challenges encountered by medical students, emphasizing the need for enhanced medical education in this domain. Methods A qualitative technique was used to recruit 20 medical students enrolled in a Medicine MBBS degree program at a UK institution. Convenience sampling was utilized, and five separate focus groups were conducted. Semi-structured interview schedules guided discussions surrounding encounters with patients necessitating the use of interpreters. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns and themes. Results Three primary themes emerged from the data analysis: interpersonal relations, feasibility, and duties and responsibilities. The findings underscore the challenges faced by medical students when communicating with patients having LEP. The study provides valuable insights into the nuanced aspects of these encounters, shedding light on the complex interplay between language barriers and effective healthcare delivery. Conclusion This research contributes to the limited body of qualitative literature on medical students' experiences in managing language barriers with patients. The identified themes provide a foundation for modifying medical education curricula to better equip students to address communication challenges associated with linguistic diversity. The study advocates for the integration of these experiences into medical training, emphasizing the broader implications for healthcare delivery and the reduction of health inequalities in linguistically diverse patient populations. The study also recommends the usage of up-to-date translation services built into the electronic healthcare records. This relationship minimizes inaccuracy in presenting the results of patient diagnostic films and tests, reduces wait times for treatment, and contributes to an overall cost reduction within this healthcare sector.

Renal mitochondrial toxicity: effects of thymidine analogues and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in African people with HIV.

We investigated the contributions of thymidine analogue and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) antiretroviral therapy on renal mitochondrial toxicity in Ghanaian people with HIV (PWH). Similar levels of renal biochemical and mitochondrial dysfunction were seen, and there was no increased risk in PWH who had sequenced from thymidine analogue to TDF. However, mild renal impairment was associated with mitochondrial DNA damage in TDF but not thymidine analogue-treated PWH. These data support the continued use of TDF in resource-limited settings.