Date of Award

Spring 4-2026

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Rebecca King

Second Advisor

Keith McWilliams

Medical Subject Headings

Language barriers, Healthcare system, Occupational therapy

Abstract

Language barriers in healthcare can negatively affect quality of care, patient satisfaction, and health equity, particularly among individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). This capstone project aimed to develop and implement an occupational therapy communication protocol in a skilled nursing facility to address these barriers. A mixed-methods approach was used, including a pre-survey of 25 staff members, post-implementation interviews, and observational feedback to evaluate communication practices, interpreter use, and staff confidence. Interventions included staff education on interpreter services and culturally responsive care, as well as bilingual communication tools, personalized resident posters, and a Language Line training video. Guided by the Person–Environment–Occupation (PEO) model, the program targeted environmental and occupational factors to improve communication and participation. Results indicated increased staff awareness of language barriers, improved confidence, and greater use of interpreter resources. This project highlights the value of structured communication strategies and the role of occupational therapy in promoting equitable, client-centered care. Future efforts should focus on long-term evaluation, expansion of multilingual resources, and integration of communication protocols into routine practice.

Comments

Capstone project submitted to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

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