TRANSITIONS HOSTS ROUNDTABLE ON CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VISION CARE
Participants Look to CLAS Experts for Insights in Serving Hispanic, Asian-American and African-American Populations
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 6, 2009 – With the changing face of the nation, more and more eyecare professionals are experiencing a culturally diverse patient base. Seeking to better understand how to overcome challenges to providing vision care to multicultural populations, Transitions Optical, Inc. brought together experts on the CLAS standards in health care for a roundtable – Cultural and Linguistic Considerations for Vision Care – on April 20 in Washington, D.C.

The event featured in-depth discussion on the CLAS (Culturally and Linguistic Appropriate Services) standards, which were developed by the Office of Minority Health to improve access to and quality of health care for minorities. While primarily directed toward health care organizations, the CLAS standards can also be used by individual providers to make their practices more culturally and linguistically accessible.

The CLAS standards comprise 14 standards divided into three sections: culturally competent care (1-3), language access services (4-7) and organizational supports (8-14). While most of the standards are suggestions for improving care, the language access services standards are mandates for health care organizations receiving federal funding. As part of the roundtable discussion, participants reviewed the CLAS standards to determine how they could be used within the optical industry. Representatives from the Office of Minority Health, the National Multicultural Institute and Kaiser Permanente discussed their experience with the CLAS standards and how other health care organizations have successfully incorporated them into practice.

“As the population continues to shift, the optical industry must also shift to ensure the needs of the multicultural community are met. This means taking a closer look at what has already been working outside the optical industry,” said Connie Falvo, director of external affairs, Transitions. “Hearing from those who have had hands-on experience meeting these challenges in the general health care sector allowed for an engaging and powerful discussion.”

The roundtable included presentations from:

CLAS Standards Experts

• Guadalupe Pacheco, M.S.W. – An expert in CLAS standards, Pacheco serves as a public health advisor and special assistant to the deputy assistant secretary for Minority Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

• Charlotte Parniawski, R.N., M.S.N., C.N.E. – Parniawski is a cultural diversity trainer with the National Multicultural Institute, as well as a registered nurse for Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn.

• Gayle Tang, R.N., M.S.N. – As director of national linguistic and cultural programs in Kaiser Permanente’s National Diversity Department, Tang is a diversity champion and leader in the improvement of language access.

Eyecare Professionals

• Drake McLean, Optician – With more than 25 years of experience, McLean is an optician and president of Dietz-McLean Optical Company, a seven-store retail optical chain in South Central Texas serving a large Hispanic patient base.

• Madeline Romeu, O.D. – As a Transitions Optometric Advisor and optometric physician in West New York, N.J., Dr. Romeu has been a key spokesperson for Transitions Optical’s Hispanic-focused initiative and offers insight into cultural aspects of the Asian and Korean demographics.

• Hector Santiago, O.D., Ph.D. – As dean of the Midwestern University and Arizona College of Optometry, and as a doctor, educator, researcher and civic leader in his community and beyond, Dr. Santiago is fully immersed in Hispanic culture and is passionate about the eye health of Hispanics.

• Vincent Young, M.D. – Chairman of the Division of Ophthalmology at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Dr. Young brings his experience with an African-American patient base, as well as his knowledge of the impact of diabetes on multiple ethnic groups.

Unique Vision Care Needs
During the roundtable, the unique eye care needs of specific demographics – including Hispanics, Asian Americans and African Americans – were discussed by a panel of eyecare professionals who have experience working with these groups. Presentations addressed the numerous challenges for these populations to receive quality vision care and vision wear, and referenced the high incidence of specific eye and systemic diseases paired with low awareness levels of the need for preventative care. Unique cultural characteristics and barriers to receiving adequate care were also addressed for each population.

During discussion, participants identified the need for all eyecare professionals to become more “culturally aware” to determine who their patients are and their specific needs, and to learn how to better communicate with them.

Applying CLAS Standards to Vision Care
Reviewing the CLAS standards, participants believed that certain elements could serve as a helpful guide for eyecare professionals to provide adequate services. For example, one of the standards requires that health care organizations make available easily understood, in-language patient materials and signage. The participants agreed that these resources should exist within the optical industry. They discussed what is currently available – in both the health care sector and optical industry – and brainstormed ideas for new resources. Participants also agreed that before being finalized, materials should be reviewed by the appropriate channels to ensure they are communicating the right messages.

Another topic addressed was the use of interpreters. Participants agreed that interpreters – whether a professional or a family member – could be helpful to have in the exam room when language or education barriers are present, but that care should be taken to ensure interpretations are accurately relayed and perceived. The use of children serving as interpreters for family members was also discussed, and participants agreed that children should not be put in this position.

Additionally, participants expressed the need for increased diversity among optical professionals, and stressed the importance of introducing the topic of cultural awareness early on in the education process. Finally, participants stressed that, regardless of race or ethnicity, all patients should be treated with respect.

“We must remember that it’s not just a pair of eyes – it’s a human being,” added Hector Santiago, O.D., Ph.D. “Whether your patient speaks a different language, has a unique culture or is a small child, he or she deserves to be treated with respect and care.”

A consensus paper based on the roundtable discussion is currently in progress and will be posted to the Transitions Web site (Transitions.com) and available through Transitions Customer Service upon completion.

“For the past three years, Transitions has remained committed to helping eyecare professionals better serve their Hispanic patients. Moving forward, we plan to broaden our outreach to address the needs of other demographics, including Asian Americans and African Americans,” said Martha Rivera, multicultural marketing manager, Transitions. “The insights we gained from this roundtable will help guide our ongoing efforts to ensure all patients receive the best possible vision care, regardless of cultural or language barriers.”