Language interpretation solutions for breast cancer patients
RSMI HEALS (Health Equity Advances Through Language Solutions) (AI)
This study is testing different ways to help Spanish- and Mandarin-speaking breast cancer patients communicate better with their doctors during appointments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 700 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 8 sites (Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 7 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06721065 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates different language interpretation methods for Spanish- and Mandarin-speaking breast cancer patients with limited English proficiency during outpatient clinical encounters. It consists of two phases: the first is a randomized controlled trial comparing remote simultaneous and consecutive interpreting methods, while the second phase involves a mixed-methods evaluation to assess the implementation of these solutions. The goal is to improve communication between patients and healthcare providers, enhancing the overall care experience.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Spanish- or Mandarin-speaking adults aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of Stage II or III breast cancer who have limited English proficiency.
Not a fit: Patients who are fluent in English or do not have breast cancer may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve communication and understanding between breast cancer patients and their healthcare providers, leading to better patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown that effective communication through interpretation can improve patient satisfaction and outcomes, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Phase I Patients * Age \>=18 years (per EMR) * Preferred language for healthcare is Spanish or Mandarin (per self-report) * Limited English Proficient; cannot speak English "very well" (per self-report) * Diagnosis of breast cancer or gastrointestinal (per EMR) * Will be visiting MSK oncology teams for the first or second appointment (per EMR) * Agrees to be audio-recorded (per self-report) Phase 1 Providers * Breast or gastrointestinal cancer provider who sees patients (e.g., breast or gastrointestinal oncologists, advanced practice providers, and/or nurses) * Does not speak Spanish and/or Mandarin; providers who speak one language and not the other may participate (e.g., speaks Spanish but not Mandarin) (per self-report) * Agrees to be audio-record (per self-report) Phase 2 (clinic staff only; patient participants will be drawn from Phase 1) * Is a staff member who works/worked in one of the study clinic sites during the period of Phase 1 RCT study activities * Agrees to be audio-recorded (per self-report) Exclusion Criteria: Phase 1 Patients * Has significant psychiatric disturbance (i.e., acute psychiatric symptoms) sufficient to preclude completion of the assessments, interviews, or informed consent (per EMR, patient's care team, or study team) * Presence of cognitive impairment disorder (i.e., delirium or dementia) sufficient to preclude meaningful informed consent and/or data collection (per EMR, patients, care team, or study team) Phase I Providers * None Phase 2 (clinic staff only; Phase 1 patient participants follow above criteria) * None
Where this trial is running
Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 7 other locations
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Consent Only) — Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Consent Only) — Middletown, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Consent Only) — Montvale, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk- Commack (Consent Only) — Commack, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Consent Only) — Harrison, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering at Ralph Lauren Center (All Protocol Activities) — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities) — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (All Protocol Activities) — Rockville Centre, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Francesca Gany, MD, MS — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Francesca Gany, MD, MS
- Email: ganyf@mskcc.org
- Phone: 646-888-8054
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.