Journal of general internal medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The impact of an enhanced interpreter service intervention on hospital costs and patient satisfaction.
Many health care providers do not provide adequate language access services for their patients who are limited English-speaking because they view the costs of these services as prohibitive. However, little is known about the costs they might bear because of unaddressed language barriers or the costs of providing language access services. ⋯ The enhanced interpreter service intervention did not significantly increase or decrease hospital costs. Physician-patient language concordance reduced return ED visit and costs. Health care providers need to examine all the cost implications of different language access services before they deem them too costly.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Patient satisfaction with different interpreting methods: a randomized controlled trial.
Growth of the foreign-born population in the U.S. has led to increasing numbers of limited-English-proficient (LEP) patients. Innovative medical interpreting strategies, including remote simultaneous medical interpreting (RSMI), have arisen to address the language barrier. This study evaluates the impact of interpreting method on patient satisfaction. ⋯ While not a substitute for language-concordant providers, RSMI can improve patient satisfaction and privacy among LEP patients. Implementing RSMI should be considered an important component of a multipronged approach to addressing language barriers in health care.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Is information on genetic determinants of obesity helpful or harmful for obese people?--A randomized clinical trial.
Although more and more genetic information is available, it is unclear whether this information is helpful for patients. Therefore, we assessed the positive and negative effects of informing obese people about the genetic etiology of being overweight. ⋯ Consultations in obesity can be helpful in general. These consultations should include genetic information if people have a family history of obesity.