SEBASTOPOL, CA -- All parents are anxious when their child enters a hospital.
Although parents know their child best, the hospital can be a
confusing or chaotic environment in which to advocate for the
child's best interest.
Spanish-speaking parents face greater challenges. The report from
the National Academies' Institute of Medicine, "Unequal Treatment:
Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care,"
points out barriers faced by Spanish speakers in getting
good healthcare. For example:
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Ethnic minorities tend to receive a lower quality of healthcare
than non-minorities
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Hispanics are three times more likely than whites to have no
health insurance, however only one-half to three-quarters of the
disparities in health care can be explained by income and
insurance coverage, alone
-
Language differences can result in patients not understanding
treatment options or doctors not understanding the patient's
report of symptoms or history
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Stereotyping, biases, and uncertainty on the part of healthcare
providers can contribute to unequal treatment
-
Patients may face additional barriers of geography, cultural
familiarity, and high time-pressure of clinical encounters
To meet the needs of parents, the award-winning Your Child in the
Hospital has been translated into Spanish, Ayudando a su Hijo en
el Hospital, by the culturally-competent team of
Mario and Oralia Tercero and the PlaneTree Health Library of San
Jose, CA.
This indispensable guide is for Spanish speaking parents taking
their child to the hospital, whether for stitches, outpatient
surgery, or extended stays. Children who are reassured about what
lies ahead have less anxiety and cope more easily with procedures
and treatments. Well-prepared parents can be calm and effective
advocates for their children in a situation that can otherwise be
traumatic. Ayudando a Su Hijo en el Hospital is a practical book
of tips and wisdom from veteran parents that will help make any
hospital stay easier. Topics include:
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Preparing your child
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Going to the emergency room
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Dealing with doctors
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Making the most of the room and facility
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Coping with procedures (to minimize discomfort and trauma)
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Keeping family life going
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Keeping in touch with school
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Handling insurance claims
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Getting financial assistance
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Resources for parents (in both Spanish and English)
The book also features a journal where a child can note personal
experiences opening communication, giving the child a measure of
control, and allowing the parent a window into the child's
experience.
About the author
Nancy Keene has written or co-authored five health books for
families. She is co-creator of the Patient-Centered Guides series
and Editor of pediatric titles. Nancy is a tireless advocate for
children's health issues, including pediatric clinical trials,
childhood cancer, late effects of childhood cancer treatments,
pediatric pain relief, and emotional support for
families. She frequently speaks for professional and parent
groups and works with national pediatric advocacy
organizations and committees.
About the translators
Mario and Oralia Tercero are affiliated with PlaneTree Health
Library in San Jose. Oralia works with two PlaneTree libraries,
helping Spanish speakers access health information. The
PlaneTree Health Library is in the forefront of cultural
competence in health information.
See also,
"Mario and Oralia Tercero Come to America and Discover a Health Library,"
the translators' own fascinating story.
About the book
Ayudando a su Hijo en el Hospital
By Nancy Keene
Translated by Mario & Oralia Tercero and the PlaneTree Health
Library, San Jose, CA
$13.95, 192 pages, ISBN: 0-596-50012-2
PUBLICATION DATE: June 2002
A complementary review copy is available for the media; a copy
of the English title Your Child in the Hospital is also
available.
About Patient-Centered Guides
We publish books that contain clear, concise, easy to understand
information about the medical, practical and emotional aspects of
health issues. Our authors are patient advocates, knowledgeable
about specific conditions and diseases, who have built strong and
networked communities of patients, families, and caregivers. In
addition to books, we publish in-depth patient information
on the web at www.patientcenters.com.
Patient-Centered Guides is a wholly-owned subsidiary of O'Reilly
& Associates, Inc. O'Reilly is recognized worldwide for its
technical books that provide value to people who are experiencing
information pain. O'Reilly publishes books that make a difference
in people's lives.
