NCT01041014

Brief Summary

Numerous studies suggest that the use of in-person, professionally trained medical interpreters can reduce health care costs associated with diagnosing and treating patients with limited English proficiency. However, few studies have specifically addressed the question of the cost-effectiveness of language services in health care settings. This study used a randomized controlled study design to compare the cost-effectiveness of using professional interpreters with Spanish-speaking patients seen in hospital emergency departments (EDs) versus using the usual language services available to these patients. The main goal of the study was to estimate the effect that professional interpreters have on resource utilization and patient/provider satisfaction in the ED compared to the language services usually offered in these settings. Our hypothesis was that use of trained interpreters would lead to more cost-effective provision of ED services.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
447

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2008

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 1, 2008

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 1, 2009

Completed
9 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 28, 2009

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 30, 2009

Completed
2 days until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 1, 2010

Completed
Last Updated

October 1, 2015

Status Verified

December 1, 2009

Enrollment Period

6 months

First QC Date

December 28, 2009

Last Update Submit

September 29, 2015

Conditions

Language Discordance

Keywords

Limited English proficiencyCost-effectivenessEmergency DepartmentsLanguage DiscordanceSatisfactionLimited English proficient patientsSpanish-speaking patients

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Cost-effectiveness of in-person interpreters versus other language services

    June 2009

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Satisfaction with ability to communicate

    June 2009

Study Arms (2)

Professional medical interpreter

EXPERIMENTAL

Limited English proficient Spanish-speaking patients seen in the treatment arm were provided with the services of a professionally-trained medical interpreter to facilitate communication between the patient and emergency department staff

Behavioral: Professional medical interpreter

Control, Usual Language Services

NO INTERVENTION

Patients randomized to the control arm receive the services of the emergency departments' usual language services (i.e., a telephone language line or ad hoc interpreters).

Interventions

Professional medical interpreterBEHAVIORAL

All treatment interpreters were certified bilingual in Spanish and English and had completed (1) at least 40 hours of training in medical terminology, ethics, patient privacy, and basic interpreting skills; and (2) an online course in protection of human subjects.

Professional medical interpreter

Eligibility Criteria

Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • limited English proficient (LEP) Spanish-speaking patients
  • adults aged 18 or older
  • LEP parents of children seen in emergency departments

You may not qualify if:

  • cognitively impaired, comatose, or traumatized patients
  • healthy volunteers
  • prisoners
  • hospital employees

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

CentraState Healthcare System

Freehold, New Jersey, 07728, United States

Location

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

EmergenciesPersonal Satisfaction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Disease AttributesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsBehavior

Study Officials

  • Ann D Bagchi, Ph.D.

    Mathematica Policy Research

    STUDY DIRECTOR

  • Stacy Dale, MPA

    Mathematica Policy Research

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • Robert Eisenstein, MD

    University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 28, 2009

First Posted

December 30, 2009

Study Start

October 1, 2008

Primary Completion

April 1, 2009

Study Completion

January 1, 2010

Last Updated

October 1, 2015

Record last verified: 2009-12

Locations

US(2)