Optimizing Care Delivery: Determining the Impact of a Mobile Interpreter App on Patient Satisfaction
Date
8-9-2024
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Chair
Shade Adigun
Keywords
app, interpreter, limited English proficiency, medical, patient satisfaction
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing
Recommended Citation
Bright, Leslie M., "Optimizing Care Delivery: Determining the Impact of a Mobile Interpreter App on Patient Satisfaction" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5912.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5912
Abstract
Introduction: Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) experience increased health disparities including poorer health outcomes, lack of access to quality healthcare services, and decreased patient satisfaction related to cultural and language barriers.
Purpose/Significance: The purpose of this project was to determine the impact of a technology-based mobile app used for medical interpreter services on patient satisfaction in patients with LEP during urgent care visits.
Methods: The project design consisted of a mobile interpreter app used for medical translation services during urgent care visits. Pretest and posttest patient satisfaction questionnaires were administered before and after the mobile app use to determine its effect on patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction domains included general satisfaction, technical quality, interpersonal manner, communication, finances, time spent with the doctor, and accessibility and convenience.
Findings: Findings from the project demonstrated that all domains of patient satisfaction were significantly improved by using the mobile interpreter app for medical interpreter services. Additionally, women scored higher than men in the accessibility and convenience domain.
Conclusions: Mobile apps for medical interpreter services can be utilized to improve patient satisfaction, communication, patient care delivery, patient–provider relationships, and accessibility of healthcare services. Limitations of the project included a small sample size, populations/languages spoken, and a single setting.
Recommendations: Additional research using mobile apps with larger sample sizes and various languages should be explored to determine mobile app effects on patient satisfaction.
