Perceived needs and service use of Spanish speaking monolingual patients followed at a Hispanic clinic

This study compared Spanish speaking monolingual patients at a Hispanic Cli nic, with Hispanics and non-Hispanics at a conventional mental health cente r. A questionnaire in English and Spanish surveyed sociodemographic charact eristics and subjectively reported health needs. The monolingual Hispanic C linic patients perceived a significantly greater need for help with health and benefits, and better access to physical health care providers. Hispanic s seen at the Hispanic Clinic report more difficulties managing medications than the other groups suggesting that this problem is not adequately addre ssed by receiving services in a culturally sensitive clinic, possibly due t o the persistent effect of language barriers and low level of education. Ad ditional interventions may be needed to address this problem.