Health disparities have long been a challenge for limited English proficiency (LEP) patients, leading to disadvantages in accurate diagnosis and effective treatment due to communication barriers. Patients with LEP often struggle with poorer health outcomes and a lack of access to quality healthcare services due to language barriers.
Recent data shows that 26 million people in the U.S. experience LEP, yet interpreter services remain inadequate which exacerbates healthcare disparities and costs. Accurate, efficient, and cost-effective medical interpretation can help reduce miscommunication and health disparities, while improving patient satisfaction and optimising healthcare delivery.
A research project conducted by Dr Leslie Bright at Miami University set out to explore the transformative impact CardMedic could have on patient satisfaction. It aimed to bridge the gap by deploying CardMedic as an accessible, user-friendly and efficient mobile application for medical translation during urgent care visits. Using both pre-test and post-test patient satisfaction questionnaires, the study sought to measure various levels of patient satisfaction, including general satisfaction, technical quality and communication, among others.
The findings – CardMedic significantly increases patient satisfaction and experience scores
By integrating evidence-based, user-friendly translation services into healthcare settings, the study found that CardMedic not only facilitates better patient-provider interactions but also helps to reduce health disparities.
The study found that CardMedic significantly increases patient satisfaction and experience scores (p = 0.001), enabling staff to strive for excellence in patient communication and improve outcomes. All areas of patient satisfaction showed significant improvement with the use of the CardMedic app. This success was notably marked in areas like communication and general satisfaction, where the app facilitated a marked increase in positive patient experiences. General satisfaction jumped from a score of 2.25 to 3.87, interpersonal manner (patient-provider relationship) from 2.28 to 4.68, communication from 2.13 to 4.62, finances (perceived value of services) from 1.77 to 3.73 and time spent with doctor changed from 1.77 to 4.6. Interestingly, women reported higher satisfaction in the accessibility and convenience of healthcare services, indicating there are nuanced gender-specific experiences of healthcare delivery.
Implications for practice
The findings suggest that a user-friendly evidence-based practice (EBP) translation app can significantly enhance patient satisfaction and communication. It can be effectively used in urgent care settings, offering quick access to interpreter services, thereby reducing miscommunication and health disparities. The findings highlight that patients value services that are financially accessible, convenient, and culturally relevant, enhancing their healthcare experience. The study suggests that when on-site interpreters are unavailable, EBP mobile apps should be considered as a standard care option. It also emphasises that the mobile interpreter app should be evidence-based, multifunctional, and accurate, as developed by medical experts.
CardMedic’s contribution to sustainable, accessible healthcare
Recognising how sustainable and promising the project is, the study suggests that by easily incorporating CardMedic into electronic medical records and creating supportive policies, healthcare providers can make the app even more useful and effective. It also suggests that by training staff to use these tools well, this could really strengthen its role in boosting how patients and providers interact and improving healthcare overall.
This research shows the tangible benefits of employing mobile interpreter apps within healthcare settings. It shows a way forward where technology helps make healthcare fairer for everyone, leading to a future where language doesn’t get in the way of getting good medical care. By offering a proven and easy-to-use tool that makes the patient experience better, apps like CardMedic are key to building a more inclusive healthcare system. This study not only reveals the untapped power of digital health tools but also sets a standard for future innovations that want to improve how care is given and make patients happier across different groups. CardMedic also offers a promising avenue for facilities to meet mandated interpreter requirements effectively and cost-efficiently.
