Satisfaction of Limited English-Proficient Patients With Phone Interpretation Services Compared to In-Person Interpreters: A Randomized Controlled Trial (SIPI)

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pelvic Floor Disorders

Treatments: Other: Interpretation Modality: In Person; Other: Interpretation Modality: Telephonic

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03470194

H00013745

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study is to determine if In-person interpreters increases patient satisfaction of URGYN office visits compared to the use of phone interpreter services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) patients

Full description

This study is a randomized controlled trial. Patients presenting to the UMass Memorial UROGYN clinic will be screened for eligibility using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. LEP patients will be identified as patients that initiate conversation in a non-English language and are only able to communicate adequately regarding their medical problem in a non-English language.

After patients have been seen for their scheduled office visit, they will be invited to participate in the study. Once the patient has agreed to participate in the study the participant will be randomized. Study assignment will be revealed using sequentially numbered sealed opaque envelopes. Randomization will be performed using software and a block randomization scheme to yield a 50% chance of having an in-person interpreter.

Those assigned to the control group will receive phone translation services and the experimental group will have in person interpreters.

At the subsequent visit, demographic information will be collected and patients will then receive interpretation services from the phone or an in-person interpreter.

Enrollment: 106 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• LEP speaking Spanish and Portuguese female patients presenting to the U Mass UROGYN clinic with or without Ad-hoc interpreters
• Spanish and Portuguese speaking female patients with LEP presenting to the U Mass UROGYN clinic for an office visit of any type

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to provide consent
• Under 18 years of age
• Pregnant women
• Prisoners
• LEP subjects who decline interpreter services
• Non -Spanish or Non - Portuguese speaking subjects
• Patients with cognitive impairment
• Visually or hearing impaired patients
• Patients not requiring a follow up appointment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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106 participants in 2 patient groups

Interpretation Modality: In person

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants assigned to this group will use an in person interpreter for the duration of the UROGYN office visit

Treatment:

Other: Interpretation Modality: In Person

Interpretation Modality: Telephonic

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants assigned to this group will use a phone interpreter for the duration of the UROGYN office visit

Treatment:

Other: Interpretation Modality: Telephonic