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Working Effectively Across Language Barriers
Language access isn’t just a regulatory requirement—it’s a cornerstone of high-quality care. Research consistently shows that using qualified interpreters and delivering linguistically appropriate services improves clinical outcomes, enhances patient satisfaction, and reduces the risk of medical errors.
This training offers practical guidance for providers working with patients who speak a language other than English. Whether you're new to working with interpreters or looking to refine your approach, this session will help you strengthen your practice and communicate more effectively with linguistically diverse patients.
Target Audience
MDs/DOs
Primary Care
Emergency Medicine
Hospitalist
Surgeons
OB/GYNs
Neurologist
Dentists and Oral Surgeons
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
Occupational medicine
Pharmacists
Nurse practitioners and other advanced- practice registered nurses
Physician assistants
Learning Objectives
Examine how language barriers affect clinical care, patient safety, and health outcomes.
Apply strategies to work effectively with qualified interpreters.
Utilize culturally and linguistically appropriate techniques to improve patient-provider interactions.
María Carreón Ayers is a seasoned change leader and the Founder of Carreón Consulting LLC, bringing over 20 years of experience advancing language access, health equity, and culturally responsive systems across government and healthcare sectors. She specializes in translating federal mandates, executive orders, and equity frameworks into actionable strategies that enhance compliance, accessibility, and community engagement.
María established the first Language Services Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and played a key role in expanding statewide access to interpretation services through the Department of Personnel & Administration’s NASPO agreement. Her work integrates Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards with strategic planning to drive measurable improvements in system efficiency and policy outcomes.
Through her consultancy, María partners with nonprofits, state agencies, and local governments to strengthen inclusive practices and improve service delivery. Her work centers on three core areas: Assessment & Strategy, Capacity Building, and Community Engagement. With a community-centered and equity-driven approach, she facilitates collaboration that leads to sustainable impact and measurable change.
Accreditation: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) through the joint providership of Compass Healthcare Collaborative and Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention. Compass Healthcare Collaborative is accredited by the IMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Designation: Compass designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Commercial Support: This activity was developed without support from any ineligible company. *The ACCME defines ineligible companies as those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Note: The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical service directly to patients to be commercial interests unless the provider of clinical services is owned, or controlled by, and ACCME defined ineligible company.
Disclosure: Compass adheres to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. The content of this activity is not related to products or the business lines of an ACCME-defined ineligible company. None of the planners or moderators for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing products used by or on patients.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™