Improving surgical care for Spanish-speaking patients with limited English skills
Improving Outcomes for Spanish-Speaking Surgical Patients with Limited English Proficiency
This study is looking at how language differences can make surgery harder for Spanish-speaking patients who don’t speak much English, and it aims to find ways to use mobile technology to help doctors and patients communicate better, so everyone can have safer and more satisfying surgical experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11041113 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance surgical outcomes for Spanish-speaking patients who have limited English proficiency (LEP). It investigates how language barriers affect patient care and seeks to identify socioeconomic and demographic factors that contribute to surgical disparities. By utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study will explore the effectiveness of mobile technology for live medical interpretation to improve communication between patients and healthcare providers. The goal is to design interventions that address these barriers and ultimately improve patient safety and satisfaction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Spanish-speaking surgical patients who have limited English proficiency.
Not a fit: Patients who are fluent in English or do not require language assistance may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better surgical outcomes and reduced risks of adverse events for Spanish-speaking patients with limited English proficiency.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that addressing language barriers in healthcare can significantly improve patient outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ortega, Gezzer — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ortega, Gezzer
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.