Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Video Movement Analysis Using Smartphones ViMAS: A Pilot Study
Published on: March 14, 2017
Using mobile technology to overcome language barriers in medicine
D T S Chang1, I A Thyer, D Hayne
1Fremantle Hospital and Health Service, WA, Australia.
Abstract:
Australia has a large migrant population with variable fluency in English. Interpreting services help ensure that healthcare services are delivered appropriately to these populations. However, the use of professional interpreters in hospitals is expensive. There are also issues with service availability and convenience. Mobile devices containing software with translating abilities have promising potential to improve communication between patients and hospital staff as an adjunct to professional interpreters. It is highly convenient and inexpensive. There are concerns about the accuracy of the interpretation done with such software and more research needs to be carried out to support or allay these concerns. For now, clinically important and medicolegal related interpretation should be undertaken by professional interpreters whereas less crucial tasks may be performed with the help of interpreting software on mobile devices.
Related Concept Videos
Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Types of Reports III: Telephone and Verbal Reports
Here's an overview of each type:
Telephone Orders
Health Literacy
Translation
Automated Microbial Diagnostics

