Spanish-Speaking Provider for Infertility

(ImpaLa Trial)

Overseen By Aileen Portugal, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine

Disqualifiers: English language, Not seeking fertility

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 12 weeks

70 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on language and communication in fertility care, so it's unlikely that your medications will be affected.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Spanish-Speaking Provider for Infertility?

Research shows that having healthcare providers who speak the same language as their patients can improve communication and patient satisfaction. This suggests that Spanish-speaking providers may help Spanish-speaking patients feel more understood and satisfied with their care, which could be beneficial in infertility treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is it safe to have a Spanish-speaking provider for infertility treatment?

There is no specific safety data available for having a Spanish-speaking provider in infertility treatment, but using a provider who speaks your language can improve understanding and care, which may contribute to safer treatment. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does the Spanish-Speaking Provider treatment for infertility differ from other treatments?

The Spanish-Speaking Provider treatment is unique because it focuses on improving communication and understanding between Spanish-speaking patients and healthcare providers, addressing cultural and language barriers that often prevent Hispanic women from accessing infertility care. This approach is not about a specific medical procedure but rather enhancing the overall care experience for Spanish-speaking patients. ^{6 7 8 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Currently, patients presenting to the Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center meet with an English-speaking provider and communicate through an interpreter, as none of the physicians speak Spanish. However, this study PI is a native Spanish speaker and certified bilingual clinician. Thus, this study is looking to evaluate whether or not the use of an interpreter delays completion of testing and initiation of fertility treatment. The medically indicated testing, procedures, and course of treatment will not be altered as a result of participation in the study. Participants will be asked to complete a survey in their preferred language to gauge satisfaction and communication efficacy. This proposed study is significant as it seeks to address a critical gap in the understanding of how language concordance between healthcare providers and patients influences treatment outcomes in fertility care. With Spanish being the most commonly spoken non-English language in the U.S., evaluating the impact of Spanish language skills in medical care is both timely and essential. This research will shed light on whether Spanish-speaking patients experience better treatment progression and outcomes when cared for by language-concordant providers versus when interpreters are used in fertility care. This prospective study will be conducted at Washington University's Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center over a 12-month period. The investigators aim to enroll a total of 70 Spanish-speaking patients, based on previous patient trends at the Center 35 will be randomized to the intervention group (being evaluated and treated by a Spanish-speaking provider), and 35 will be randomized to standard of care (communicating with an English-speaking provider through an interpreter).

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Spanish-speaking patients experiencing infertility who are seeking treatment at Washington University's Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center. Participants must be comfortable completing a survey in their preferred language.

Inclusion Criteria

Preferred language must be Spanish speaking

Must be seeking fertility treatment

I am over 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Preferred language English

Not currently seeking fertility care

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Consultation and Diagnostic Testing

Participants undergo initial consultation and complete recommended fertility diagnostic tests

12 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive fertility treatment based on diagnostic results

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for satisfaction and communication effectiveness after treatment

12 weeks

Survey administered

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Spanish-Speaking Provider

Trial Overview The study compares the effect of having a Spanish-speaking provider versus using an interpreter on the progression and outcomes of fertility treatments. It involves surveys to measure patient satisfaction and communication effectiveness.

Participant Groups

Group I: Spanish-Speaking patients seen by a Spanish-speaking provider Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Spanish speaking patients will be seen by our Spanish-speaking provider

Group II: Spanish speaking patients seen by English-Speaking Provider Active Control 1 Intervention

Spanish speaking patients will be seen by our English-speaking providers using a qualified interpreter.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Washington University School of Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,027

Recruited

2,353,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Strategies to Increase the Spanish-Speaking Workforce in Orthopaedic Surgery within the United States. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient-Reported Quality of Communication Skills in the Clinical Workplace for Clinicians Learning Medical Spanish. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The utility of limited Spanish proficiency in interpreted genetic counseling sessions. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The interpreter as cultural educator of residents: improving communication for Latino parents. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Addressing health disparities in hispanic communities through an innovative team-based medical spanish program at the medical school level - a single-institution study. [2022]

6. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Spanish translation of the International Glossary on Infertility and Fertility Care, 2017. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Spanish language content on reproductive endocrinology and infertility practice websites. [2021]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of disparities in access to infertility care and treatment outcomes among Hispanic women. [2022]

9. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assisted reproductive technologies in Latin America: the Latin American Registry, 2019. [2023]

10. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assisted reproductive technologies in Latin America: the Latin American Registry, 2019. [2022]

11. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the unevaluated: a secondary analysis of the National Survey for Family Growth (NSFG) examining infertile women who did not access care. [2022]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fertility Treatment, Use of in Vitro Fertilization, and Time to Live Birth Based on Initial Provider Type. [2018]