Language Line Services Introduces Language Line® CME for Physicians Entitled “Communicating Through Healthcare Interpreters”

Physicians Earn CME Credits through On-Demand E-Course on Using Interpreters to Communicate with Limited English Proficient (LEP) Patients

Monterey, CA — (April 23, 2007) — Language Line Services, the world’s leading provider of language-based services, today announced the introduction of a new, online continuing medical education course to help physicians better communicate with and care for their limited English proficient (LEP) patients. The Language Line® CME, entitled “Communicating Through Healthcare Interpreters,” is a multi-media accredited course that teaches physicians and other healthcare providers how to work effectively with interpreters to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers to delivering quality healthcare services to the nation’s rapidly increasing population of limited-English speakers.

“This brief, yet powerful, CME course is designed to make working with LEP patients much easier and help physicians better manage the language challenges that arise in today's healthcare environment. Studies support that working with properly trained interpreters reduces costs and risks while increasing patient safety and satisfaction,” explains Louis Provenzano, President and Chief Operating Officer, Language Line Services. “As an addition to the Language Line University program menu, this is the first CME course to be offered to our customers. We feel it is an important extension of the language access programs we provide hospitals and medical facilities.”

Authored by the multidisciplinary partnership of Cynthia Roat, MPH, trainer and consultant on language access in healthcare, and Elizabeth Jacobs, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center, “Communicating Through Healthcare Interpreters” course participants earn up to 2.5 AMA Category 1 CME credits sponsored by Rush University Medical Center.

"As our country’s population continues to become more linguistically and culturally diverse, healthcare providers are better able to provide culturally competent care if they know how to work effectively with interpreters,” says Roat, a national advocate for the field of healthcare interpreting.

The course discusses the subject of healthcare interpreters, including the legal requirements concerning when one is needed and strategies for maximizing the efficiency of interpretation services in the individual practice. Moreover, general guidelines for improving cultural competency are offered, using a series of case studies to illustrate key points. The online, on-demand CME course is available 24/7 as a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to classroom-based courses.

For more information about “Communicating Through Healthcare Interpreters”, visit http://www.languageline.com/page/cme .

About Language Line Services

As the leading provider of interpreting services to healthcare organizations throughout the United States, Language Line Services trains and certifies its interpreters specifically for healthcare situations to insure quality interpretations in medical diagnosis, treatment and preventative care. The company delivers a dynamic suite of solutions spanning phone and video interpretation, document translation, interactive software-based translation, and interpreter training and certification programs, enabling clients to communicate with customers in their preferred languages. Language Line Services supports over 170 unique languages to its industry-leading portfolio of clients including those in healthcare, financial services, government, telecom, packaged goods, insurance services, travel, and more. For information on how Language Line Services is helping healthcare organizations meet the needs of a constantly changing diverse patient population and regulatory compliance objectives, call 1-800-752-6096 or visit www.languageline.com .

About Language Line® University

Language Line® University, the testing and training arm of Language Line Services, offers easily accessible, remote interpreter testing and training services for organizations and individuals alike. All tests and training are conducted over the phone, so that organizations can assess and improve the skills of bilingual employees and staff interpreters at cost-effective rates. To learn more, call 877-351-6636 or visit http://www.languageline.com/page/llu/ .