Improving language access services for patients with limited English proficiency

Community and NYC Public Healthcare System Partnership to Promote Equitable Access to Language Services and Optimal Preventive Health Services Use Among Individuals With Limited English Proficiency

This study is trying to find better ways to help patients who don’t speak English well get the healthcare they need in New York City.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 17500 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: NYU Langone Health (Academic / other)
• Locations: 3 sites (New York, New York and 2 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06272110 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This community-based study engages stakeholders to develop and evaluate a culturally and linguistically sensitive approach to enhance language access services for patients with limited English proficiency in New York City. The study consists of four phases: preparatory work, pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation. It involves collecting data on existing language access policies, conducting surveys and interviews with stakeholders, and creating educational materials to improve communication between patients and healthcare providers. The ultimate goal is to promote health equity and reduce disparities in preventive health service usage and outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients aged 18 and older who have been seen for ambulatory care preventive visits and prefer to communicate in Bengali, French, Spanish, Mandarin, or Polish.

Not a fit: Patients who do not require language access services or those who are not seen for ambulatory care preventive visits may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this initiative could significantly improve health outcomes for patients with limited English proficiency by ensuring better access to language services.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in improving language access services, indicating that this approach is both relevant and potentially effective.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria (pre- and post- implementation phase):

Post-visit survey (Patients/Caregivers):

* Patient seen for ambulatory care preventive visit at one of the study locations OR caregiver of a pediatric patient seen for ambulatory preventive visit at one of the study locations.
* 18 years of age and older
* Willingness and ability to participate

H+H EHR Reports:

• Patient seen for ambulatory care preventive visit at one of the study locations

Community survey (Community members):

* Individual that attends community based organizations (CBO) events or uses CBOs' services
* 18 years of age and older
* Willingness and ability to participate

Key Stakeholder interviews:

Patients/Caregivers/Community Members Inclusion Criteria: In order to be eligible to participate, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

* Prefers to speak in Bengali, French, Spanish, Mandarin, or Polish
* 18 years of age or older
* Patient seen for ambulatory care preventive visit at one of the 4 study locations, caregiver of a pediatric patient seen for ambulatory care preventive visit at one of the 4 study locations OR a community member referred by a CBO
* Willingness and ability to participate

NYC H+H Leadership/Providers/Staff Inclusion Criteria:

* Work at one of the 4 NYC H+H study locations that does language access related work or communicates with patients that prefer to speak a language other than English regularly.
* Leadership (e.g., chief medical officer, Department Director, etc.), provider (Physician, Nurse, Resident), or staff (Interpreter, language access coordinator, clerical staff) at the NYC H+H location
* 18 years of age or older
* Willingness and ability to participate

CBO Leadership/Staff Inclusion Criteria:

* CBO leadership (Director/Coordinator) or staff (Case manager, Patient navigator, etc.)
* 18 years of age or older
* Willingness and ability to participate

Exclusion Criteria (pre- and post- implementation phase):

CBO Leadership/Staff Exclusion Criteria:

* Does not have a working phone number
* Uncorrected hearing impairment

Post-visit survey (Patients/Caregivers):

* Enrolled to key stakeholder interviews
* Does not have a working phone number

H+H EHR Reports (Patients):

• No exclusion criteria

Community survey (Community members):

• Does not have a regular doctor in the US.

Key Stakeholder interviews:

Patients/Caregivers/Community Members Exclusion Criteria:

* Speaks English very well (non-LEP)
* Does not have a working phone number
* Uncorrected hearing impairment

NYC H+H Leadership/Providers/Staff Exclusion Criteria:

* Does not have a working phone number
* Uncorrected hearing impairment

Where this trial is running

New York, New York and 2 other locations

• Health + Hospitals Diagnostic/Treatment Centers — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hsiang Yin, MD — NYU Langone Health
• Study coordinator: Hsiang Yin, MD

Conditions Appropriate Use of Language Across Services