Language-specific approaches to reduce perioperative stress and anxiety related to anaesthesia for patients with limited English proficiency: A narrative review.

Abstract

Many patients experience perioperative anxiety due to a variety of different reasons. Essential processes of shared decision-making and informed consent may help to mitigate anxiety, yet language barriers may hinder this particularly in diverse patient populations. As such, language-specific approaches in anaesthesia care play a crucial role in reducing perioperative stress and anxiety among patients with limited English proficiency. This review examines which methods during anaesthetic assessments and shared decision-making processes enable anaesthetists to communicate effectively with patients who have limited English proficiency and thereby reduce perioperative stress. Findings suggest that collaborating with patients in their native language significantly reduces anxiety and improves understanding, while transcreation - culturally adapted translation - enhances the effectiveness of communication. To decrease perioperative anxiety among populations with limited English proficiency and improve surgical outcomes, it is important to enhance anaesthesia-focused training for interpreters, increase diversity in the anaesthesia field, and develop culturally relevant patient education materials.