Language Matters: Exploring the Impact of Language Concordance on Fertility Treatment Progression (ImpaLa)

The Washington University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Infertility Assisted Reproductive Technology; Infertility; Infertility (IVF Patients); Ovulation Ind

Treatments: Behavioral: Spanish-Speaking Provider

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06636838

IRB ID #: 202407176

Details and patient eligibility

About

Currently, patients presenting to the Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center meet with an English-speaking provider and communicate through an interpreter, as none of the physicians speak Spanish. However, this study PI is a native Spanish speaker and certified bilingual clinician. Thus, this study is looking to evaluate whether or not the use of an interpreter delays completion of testing and initiation of fertility treatment. The medically indicated testing, procedures, and course of treatment will not be altered as a result of participation in the study. Participants will be asked to complete a survey in their preferred language to gauge satisfaction and communication efficacy.

This proposed study is significant as it seeks to address a critical gap in the understanding of how language concordance between healthcare providers and patients influences treatment outcomes in fertility care. With Spanish being the most commonly spoken non-English language in the U.S., evaluating the impact of Spanish language skills in medical care is both timely and essential. This research will shed light on whether Spanish-speaking patients experience better treatment progression and outcomes when cared for by language-concordant providers versus when interpreters are used in fertility care.

This prospective study will be conducted at Washington University's Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center over a 12-month period. The investigators aim to enroll a total of 70 Spanish-speaking patients, based on previous patient trends at the Center 35 will be randomized to the intervention group (being evaluated and treated by a Spanish-speaking provider), and 35 will be randomized to standard of care (communicating with an English-speaking provider through an interpreter).

Enrollment: 70 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Must be greater than 18 years old
• Preferred language must be Spanish speaking
• Must be seeking fertility treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Preferred language English
• Not currently seeking fertility care
• Less than 18 years old

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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70 participants in 2 patient groups

Spanish speaking patients seen by English-Speaking Provider

No Intervention group

Description:

Spanish speaking patients will be seen by our English-speaking providers using a qualified interpreter.

Spanish-Speaking patients seen by a Spanish-speaking provider

Experimental group

Description:

Spanish speaking patients will be seen by our Spanish-speaking provider

Treatment:

Behavioral: Spanish-Speaking Provider