Clinical trial NCT06636838: Language Matters: Exploring the Impact of Language Concordance on Fertility Treatment Progression
Official title: Language Matters: Exploring the Impact of Language Concordance on Fertility Treatment Progression
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Infertility
Infertility (IVF Patients)
Infertility Assisted Reproductive Technology
Ovulation Ind
Keywords: Spanish speaking
Spanish
infertility
Infertility work-up
IVF
Lead sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-10-15
Enrollment: 70
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

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).


Eligibility criteria: 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

Primary outcomes:
measure: Completion of diagnostic tests
timeFrame: 90 days from initial consultation.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Patient satisfaction and communication
timeFrame: 90 days from initial consultation.
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Saint Louis
country: United States
facility: Washington University in St Louis
state: Missouri
Study officials:
References:
citation: 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.
citation: 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.
citation: 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.