Definition:
This value indicates which of Ontario's official languages the client feels most comfortable receiving their health services.
Guide for Use:
This data is collected at the initiation of treatment services. The official language that the client is most comfortable receiving health services is collected even when the client's preferred language is not English or French. When the client identifies French as the language they are most comfortable receiving their health services, this client will be identified as Francophone.
| Permissible Values | Definition |
|---|---|
| English | |
| French |
Context:
- Used in care to provide appropriate care delivery as required by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldridge_v._British_Columbia_(Attorney_General).
- Used to monitor treatment service utilization for English, French and other language groups to determine and assess equitable access and or utilization based on proportion of these groups in district / region population.
- To acquire informed consent (requires understanding).
- Use of interpreters and translation improve the quality and safety of care.
