Redesigning the Health System / Increasing Access to Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services

Indicator: Percent of adults who had a difficult time understanding their provider

Indicator Description: Indicators are from UCLA’s California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) Public Use File (PUF) and consequently their exploratory dashboard, AskCHIS. This variable is based on questions asking if adult had a hard time understanding their doctor (CHIS PUF Variable: AJ8B for 2013-18, and AJ8V3 for 2019+, AskCHIS Variable: Difficulty understanding doctor). Adults 18+ were asked “The last time you saw a doctor, did you have a hard time understanding the doctor?”. Note: The variable change is a result of a survey change from all adults have seen a doctor in the past 2 years, to all adults have seen a doctor.

Data Limitations: Asked of California’s residential population (adults, teens, and children), administered in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Does not include those living in group quarters or homeless persons.

Indicator Source: UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research CHIS is an annual, population-based, omnibus health survey of California. It is the largest telephone survey in California and the largest state health survey in the country. Note that this indicator uses weighted data.

Data Sharing Agreement: Researchers can access a variety of publicly available CHIS data files and web tools. These CHIS data products include downloadable data sets and easy-to-read documents. In addition, local county health departments can request data files specific to their county. However, researchers can apply to analyze confidential CHIS data, data sensitive variables and/or geo-coded data through the CHIS Data Access Center (DAC). Access to confidential CHIS data requires a research application, review, and approval.

Indicator Calculation Methodology: Percent of population reporting having a difficult time understanding their provider. https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/chis/design/Pages/overview.aspx

Data Collection Methodology: Statewide telephone survey using a geographically stratified sample design. Estimates are weighted to Dept. of Finance demographic data (adjusted for group quarters population). More information is available at https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/chis/design/Pages/overview.aspx

Program URL Link: https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/chis/Pages/default.aspx

Reporting Cycle:  Annual Survey

Reporting Lag:  2 years