Increasing medication adherence in LEP (low-english proficiency) latino populations: Merging speech act theory and cultural competency

Lack of patient medication adherence is a problem with LEP (low-English proficiency) Latinos in the United States. This chapter applies speech act theory framework to demonstrate how the rules of a request (medication prescription) must be met in a physician-patient interaction. Suggestions are made as to how speech act theory can provide a theoretical framework for cultural competency models, specifically Betancourt's model of adherence, and how physicians can best overcome cultural barriers to maximize medication adherence. This chapter provides a theoretically based set of skills that can be examined when attempting to operationally define cultural competency in medical students. The theoretical model presented here may also suggest justification and explanation for medical school cultural competency curriculums and assessments. Speech act theory can provide a basis and direction for future research in both of these areas, and can hopefully provide a stepping stone to eliminating health discrepancies in culturally diverse populations.