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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dr. Gray Ballinger, Primary Care Physician at Queens Hospital Center, on Patient Demographics and Care Challenges
3:38:10
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Dr. Gray Ballinger, a primary care physician at Queens Hospital Center, provided testimony on the unique challenges faced by patients in Queens and the need for tailored healthcare approaches. He highlighted the diverse patient demographics and literacy levels, emphasizing the importance of personalized care and attention.
- 65% of patients are functionally literate at an 8th-grade level in any language
- 60% of patients are functionally literate in English at an 8th-grade level
- 35% of patients require formal translators
- Many patients struggle with reading discharge paperwork, prescription bottles, and important medical notifications
Gray Ballinger
3:38:10
Sorry.
3:38:11
My name is Gray Ballinger.
3:38:12
I'm a primary care physician at Queen's Hospital Center.
3:38:16
I would will post my full, remarks in in text.
3:38:21
I would like to read one paragraph from my statement and introduce to you the 22 patients that I saw yesterday.
3:38:28
Don't worry.
3:38:28
Together.
3:38:30
These are intelligent, hardworking, and compassionate New Yorkers, and they face incredible barriers to care.
3:38:37
One size does not fit all in this city, and what works in Coney Island or at Metropolitan, in in those boroughs does does not work at Elmhurst or Queens, the 2 sister hospitals of Queens.
3:38:48
I did a personal straw poll of, I believe, 4 of my patients all chosen in sequential order, and I determined that 65% of my patients are functionally literate in English at an 8th grade level.
3:39:04
60% of them, no.
3:39:06
I'm sorry.
3:39:08
That 60% in English, and then 65% illiterate in 8th grade level in any language.
3:39:16
35% of them are with a formal translator.
3:39:19
Our no show rates are very low because these patients have nowhere else to go, compared to what I've heard, doctor Katz describe.
3:39:26
These are individuals who cannot read their just charged paperwork or their prescription bottles.
3:39:34
They can't read a letter notifying them that a mammogram or a pap smear was abnormal and showed evidence of cancer.
3:39:39
They need our time, our attention, and our teaching.
3:39:43
We owe them better.
3:39:47
Thank you.