Scarborough Health Network (SHN) is proud to celebrate the publication of an impactful study authored by SHN’s Dr. Chris Yarnell, Dr. Tom Bodley, Dr. Martin Betts, Dr. Alexis Gordon, Dr. Paul Tam, and Michele James, which explores the accuracy of preferred language data in hospital electronic medical records. The study, conducted across SHN’s three hospitals – Birchmount, Centenary and General – focuses on population health and equity, keys for the direction of the SHN Research Institute, offering critical insights into how well hospitals are capturing the languages patients are most comfortable using when communicating with their health care teams.
In a community as diverse as Scarborough, where nearly 40% of patients prefer a language other than English, ensuring accurate language data is more than a technical detail – it’s a matter of health equity.
Why Language Matters in Health Care
“When people are unwell, it’s a stressful time,” says Dr. Chris Yarnell, SHN ICU Physician and driving force behind much of this research. “Being able to communicate symptoms clearly, understand medication instructions, and follow care plans is essential. That’s only possible when patients can speak in the language they’re most comfortable with.”
Preferred language data helps clinicians decide when to bring in interpreters or match patients with staff who speak the same language. It also informs hospital administrators about which languages are most needed – guiding decisions about hiring interpreters and allocating resources.
A Simple Question, a Powerful Insight
The study began with a straightforward question: Does the language listed in a patient’s electronic health record match the language they actually prefer to use?
To find out, Camron Ford, a medical student at the University of Toronto, visited 323 patients across SHN’s internal medicine, nephrology, and ICU departments. He asked each patient – or their caregiver – what language they preferred to use when speaking with their healthcare team. Then, he compared their answers to the data recorded in SHN’s electronic medical record system, Epic.
The results were illuminating. Overall, the preferred language listed in the system was accurate in 86% of cases. However, among patients who preferred a language other than English, accuracy dropped to 70% – meaning nearly 1 in 3 of these patients had incorrect or missing language data.
Implications for Scarborough and Beyond
These findings have significant implications for Scarborough and other multicultural communities.
“We counted 26 different non-English languages among our patients,” Dr. Yarnell notes. “That diversity means we can’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. We need flexible solutions like phone-based interpretation services that can accommodate a wide range of languages.”
The study also highlights SHN’s innovative practices, such as pairing patients with nurses who speak the same language whenever possible – especially in critical care settings. “It’s a small adjustment that can make a big difference in patient comfort and communication,” says Dr. Yarnell.
A Model for Equitable Research
Beyond its findings, the study exemplifies SHN’s commitment to community-driven, interdisciplinary research. It brought together experts in medicine, biostatistics, system leadership, and health equity, and provided a meaningful research opportunity for a medical student.
“This project shows how SHN can conduct impactful research efficiently and effectively,” says Dr. Yarnell. “We may not have the infrastructure of a large academic center, but we’re nimble – and deeply connected to our community.”
Looking Ahead
The study’s findings are already informing improvements at SHN. Leaders across departments are exploring ways to enhance how language data is collected – especially during registration – and how it’s used to support care. The data has also been shared with SHN’s Measuring Health Equity Committee to help ensure all patients are represented in system-wide assessments.
Future research may explore the impact of language-matched nurse-patient pairings on outcomes like confusion or restraint use in critical care. “We want to know if these strategies are making a measurable difference,” says Dr. Yarnell.
A Call to Community
Dr. Yarnell encourages patients and families to advocate for accurate language data when engaging with the registration process. “It’s not just about your care – it’s about helping us build a system that works better for everyone.”
As SHN continues to evolve as a research-driven health network, studies like this one – supported by the SHN Research Institute – demonstrate how thoughtful, community-focused research can lead to real-world improvements in care. The Institute plays a vital role in fostering research that reflects the needs of Scarborough’s diverse population, ensuring that innovation is always rooted in equity, inclusion, and impact.