Remote Simultaneous Medical Interpreting and Medical Outcomes (RSMI)

All new patients to the general medicine clinic who were not primarily English speaking were randomized, after consenting, to receieve either remote simultaneous medical interpreting or usual and customary interpreting services. Patient charts were followed for one year after enrollment to assess medical outcomes, including patient satisfaction, diabetes management, lipid management, depression screening and management, vaccine administration.

All Spanish-speaking ER patients were similarly enrolled. They were followed for one ER visit and their knowledge of exit instructions was assessed, as well as their satisfaction with care.

• Other: remote simultaneous medical interpreting
  remote simultaneous medical interpretation
• Other: usual and customary
  usual and customary interpreting
• Other: ENglish speaking
  English speakers

• Experimental: 1
  remote simult med interpret
  Intervention: Other: remote simultaneous medical interpreting
• Active Comparator: 2
  Usual & Customary
  Intervention: Other: usual and customary
• 3
  comparison group
  Intervention: Other: ENglish speaking

• Leng JC, Changrani J, Gany FM. Language discordance and testing for latent tuberculosis infection among recent Asian and Latino immigrants. J Community Health. 2011 Apr;36(2):228-30.
• Leng JC, Changrani J, Tseng CH, Gany F. Detection of depression with different interpreting methods among Chinese and Latino primary care patients: a randomized controlled trial. J Immigr Minor Health. 2010 Apr;12(2):234-41.
• Gany F, Leng J, Shapiro E, Abramson D, Motola I, Shield DC, Changrani J. Patient satisfaction with different interpreting methods: a randomized controlled trial. J Gen Intern Med. 2007 Nov;22 Suppl 2:312-8.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Limited English-speaking
• English-speaking
• New patient in medicine clinic

• The California Endowment
• The Commonwealth Fund