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Remote interpretation in medical encounters: a systematic review.
Pejman Azarmina1, Paul Wallace
1Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, University College London, London, UK. P.Azarmina@pcps.ucl.ac.uk
Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
|May 20, 2005
Summary
Remote interpretation via telephone or videoconference is a viable alternative to in-person services, offering similar satisfaction levels and potentially improving consultation frequency, despite higher initial costs.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Health Services Research
- Communication Studies
Background:
- Remote interpretation services, including telephone and videoconferencing, are increasingly utilized in healthcare.
- Understanding the efficacy, satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness of remote interpretation compared to traditional face-to-face methods is crucial for healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing research on the use of remote interpretation (telephone and videoconferenced) in healthcare settings.
- To evaluate the impact of remote interpretation on consultation intervals, consultation length, client and doctor satisfaction, interpreter preference, and costs.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was performed, including published and unpublished research articles.
- Studies featuring telephone or videoconferenced interpretation as the primary intervention were included.
- Nine relevant articles were identified and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Remote interpretation was linked to shorter intervals between patient consultations.
- No significant differences were observed in consultation length compared to face-to-face interpretation.
- Client and doctor satisfaction levels were comparable between remote and face-to-face interpretation.
- Interpreters expressed a preference for face-to-face interpretation.
- While remote interpretation incurs higher costs, particularly for videoconferencing, potential efficiency gains may offset these expenses.
Conclusions:
- Remote interpretation, encompassing both telephone and videoconferencing, presents an acceptable and accurate alternative to traditional in-person interpretation methods.
- Despite higher associated costs, remote interpretation offers benefits such as improved consultation frequency, making it a valuable option in various healthcare contexts.