SAEMF ARMED Pilot Grant - $25,000

"Prehospital Patients With a Preference for a Language Other Than English: A Mixed Methods Study"

Current evidence from in hospital and ambulatory settings has demonstrated that patients with a preferred language other than English (PLOE) experience disparities in their care. This has led to initiatives and adoption of best practices including language access policies, documentation of language preference, and expectations surrounding interpretation use. These interventions, however, have not extended to the prehospital setting, where there is variability in how different emergency medical services (EMS) agencies navigate language barriers. The results of this study will not only inform future lines of research, operational and quality improvement initiatives aimed at ultimately improving the care of prehospital patients with PLOE, but will also provide data to support a K-series career development award application.

Recipient(s)

  • Mario Camacho, MD

    Mario Camacho, MD

    Denver Health and Hospital Authority

    "Prehospital Patients With a Preference for a Language Other Than English: A Mixed Methods Study"

    Mario Camacho, MD, is an emergency medicine (EM) and emergency medical services (EMS) physician based in Denver, Colorado. He serves as an associate medical director for the Denver Health Paramedic Division and as the medical director for the Denver Health Paramedic School. Additionally, Dr. Camacho holds the position of assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

    Board-certified in both EM and EMS, Dr. Camacho is deeply committed to prehospital education, harm reduction, and health equity. His recent research focuses on addressing language barriers in prehospital care to improve patient outcomes. He has been involved in initiatives aimed at achieving equity in EMS care and patient outcomes through learning health systems.