Language Matters: Exploring the Impact of Language Concordance on Fertility Treatment Progression

NCT ID: NCT06636838

Last Updated: 2025-03-28

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

70 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-10-15

Study Completion Date

2025-12-30

Brief Summary

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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).

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Infertility Infertility (IVF Patients) Infertility Assisted Reproductive Technology Ovulation Ind

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Spanish speaking patients seen by English-Speaking Provider

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

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Spanish-Speaking patients seen by a Spanish-speaking provider

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

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Spanish-Speaking Provider

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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

Interventions

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Spanish-Speaking Provider

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

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Must be greater than 18 years old
* Preferred language must be Spanish speaking
* Must be seeking fertility treatment

Exclusion Criteria

* Preferred language English
* Not currently seeking fertility care
* Less than 18 years old
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Washington University School of Medicine

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Washington University in St Louis

St Louis, Missouri, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Aileen Portugal, MD

Role: CONTACT

619-993-4298

Facility Contacts

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Aileen Portugal, MD

Role: primary

619-993-4298

References

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Jain M, Peterson A, Nguyen N, Goldsammler M. Reproductive inequity and inferior intrauterine insemination outcomes in patients with limited English proficiency: a retrospective cohort study. Fertil Steril. 2023 Oct;120(4):844-849. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.05.154. Epub 2023 May 22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37225071 (View on PubMed)

Lopez Vera A, Thomas K, Trinh C, Nausheen F. A Case Study of the Impact of Language Concordance on Patient Care, Satisfaction, and Comfort with Sharing Sensitive Information During Medical Care. J Immigr Minor Health. 2023 Dec;25(6):1261-1269. doi: 10.1007/s10903-023-01463-8. Epub 2023 Feb 25.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36840903 (View on PubMed)

Berdahl TA, Kirby JB. Patient-Provider Communication Disparities by Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Trends from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2006-2015. J Gen Intern Med. 2019 Aug;34(8):1434-1440. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4757-3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30511285 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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IRB ID #: 202407176

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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