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

NCT06636838 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: IRB ID #: 202407176
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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).

Conditions

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

Keywords

Spanish speaking; Spanish; infertility; Infertility work-up; IVF

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Completion of diagnostic tests

  The primary outcome is the time from the patients initial consultation to the completion of the recommended fertility diagnostic tests such as blood work or a pelvic ultrasound. Given that the tests are typically specific to the menstrual cycle, the investigators want know if the patients are completing their work-up faster when they see a Spanish-speaking physician thus understanding the instructions versus when the English speaking providers use an interpreter. The work-up only includes the labs and imaging that was recommended during their initial visit. The outcome will be measured by the unit - days.

  90 days from initial consultation.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Patient satisfaction and communication

  90 days from initial consultation.

Study Arms (2)

Spanish speaking patients seen by English-Speaking Provider

NO INTERVENTION

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

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

Behavioral: Spanish-Speaking Provider

Interventions

Spanish-Speaking Provider BEHAVIORAL

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

Spanish-Speaking patients seen by a Spanish-speaking provider

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Washington University School of Medicine: lead

Study Sites (1)

Washington University in St Louis

St Louis, Missouri, 63108, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Jain M, Peterson A, Nguyen N, Goldsammler M. Reproductive inequity and inferior intrauterine insemination outcomes in patients with limited English proficiency: a retrospective cohort study. Fertil Steril. 2023 Oct;120(4):844-849. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.05.154. Epub 2023 May 22.

  PMID: 37225071 BACKGROUND

• Lopez Vera A, Thomas K, Trinh C, Nausheen F. A Case Study of the Impact of Language Concordance on Patient Care, Satisfaction, and Comfort with Sharing Sensitive Information During Medical Care. J Immigr Minor Health. 2023 Dec;25(6):1261-1269. doi: 10.1007/s10903-023-01463-8. Epub 2023 Feb 25.

  PMID: 36840903 BACKGROUND

• Berdahl TA, Kirby JB. Patient-Provider Communication Disparities by Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Trends from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2006-2015. J Gen Intern Med. 2019 Aug;34(8):1434-1440. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4757-3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

  PMID: 30511285 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• Language Use in the United States: 2019

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Infertility

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Genital Diseases; Urogenital Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Aileen Portugal, MD

CONTACT

619-993-4298; aileenp@wustl.edu

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: September 30, 2024
• First Posted: October 15, 2024
• Study Start: October 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2025
• Study Completion: December 30, 2025
• Last Updated: March 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Locations

US (1)