Emma A Omoruyi1, Jesse Dunkle2, Colby Dendy3, Erin McHugh4, Michelle S Barratt5. 1. Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Tex. Electronic address: emma.a.omoruyi@uth.tmc.edu. 2. McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. 3. McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC. 4. McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. 5. Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Tex.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Telephone interpretation and recent technology advances assist patients with more timely access to rare languages, but no one has examined the role of this technology in the medical setting and how medical students can be prepared for their use. We sought to determine if structured curriculum on interpretation would promote learners self-reported competency in these encounters and if proficiency would be demonstrated in actual patient encounters. METHODS: Training on the principles of interpreter use with a focus on communication technology was added to medical student education. The students later voluntarily completed a retrospective pre/post training competency self-assessment. A cohort of students rotating at a clinical site had a blinded review of their telephone interpretation encounters scored on a modified validated scale and compared to scored encounters with preintervention learners. Nested ANOVA models were used for audio file analysis. RESULTS: A total of 176 students who completed the training reported a statistically significant improvement in all 4 interpretation competency domains. Eighty-three audio files were analyzed from students before and after intervention. These scored encounters showed no statistical difference between the scores of the 2 groups. However, plotting the mean scores over time from each encounter suggests that those who received the curriculum started their rotation with higher scores and maintained those scores. CONCLUSIONS: In an evaluation of learners' ability to use interpreters in actual patient encounters, focused education led to earlier proficiency of using interpreters compared to peers who received no training.
PURPOSE: Telephone interpretation and recent technology advances assist patients with more timely access to rare languages, but no one has examined the role of this technology in the medical setting and how medical students can be prepared for their use. We sought to determine if structured curriculum on interpretation would promote learners self-reported competency in these encounters and if proficiency would be demonstrated in actual patient encounters. METHODS: Training on the principles of interpreter use with a focus on communication technology was added to medical student education. The students later voluntarily completed a retrospective pre/post training competency self-assessment. A cohort of students rotating at a clinical site had a blinded review of their telephone interpretation encounters scored on a modified validated scale and compared to scored encounters with preintervention learners. Nested ANOVA models were used for audio file analysis. RESULTS: A total of 176 students who completed the training reported a statistically significant improvement in all 4 interpretation competency domains. Eighty-three audio files were analyzed from students before and after intervention. These scored encounters showed no statistical difference between the scores of the 2 groups. However, plotting the mean scores over time from each encounter suggests that those who received the curriculum started their rotation with higher scores and maintained those scores. CONCLUSIONS: In an evaluation of learners' ability to use interpreters in actual patient encounters, focused education led to earlier proficiency of using interpreters compared to peers who received no training.
Authors: Jan Fune; Jennifer P Chinchilla; Allison Hoppe; Chineze Mbanugo; Rachel Zuellig; Ali T Abboud; Oselenonome Oboh; J M Monica van de Ridder Journal: MedEdPORTAL Date: 2021-03-17