A Digital Communication Assistance Tool (DCAT) to Obtain Medical History from Foreign-Language Patients: Development and Pilot Testing in a Primary Health Care Center for Refugees

Frank Müller, Shivani Chandra, Ghefar Furaijat, Stefan Kruse, Alexandra Waligorski, Anne Simmenroth and Evelyn Kleinert
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Frank Müller: Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen/Georg-August-University, Humboldtallee 38, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
Shivani Chandra: Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV), Women’s College Hospital, 76 Grenville St, Toronto, ON M5S 1B2, Canada
Ghefar Furaijat: Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen/Georg-August-University, Humboldtallee 38, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
Stefan Kruse: Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen/Georg-August-University, Humboldtallee 38, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
Alexandra Waligorski: Aidminutes GmbH, Bäckerstr. 6, 21244 Buchholz i. d. Nordheide, Germany
Anne Simmenroth: Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
Evelyn Kleinert: Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen/Georg-August-University, Humboldtallee 38, 37073 Göttingen, Germany

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-8

Abstract: Background: Language barriers play a critical role in the treatment of migrant and refugee patients. In Germany, primary care interpreters are often not available especially in rural areas or if patients demand spontaneous or urgent consultations. Methods: In order to enable patients and their physicians to communicate effectively about the current illness history, we developed a digital communication assistance tool (DCAT) for 19 different languages and dialects. This paper reports the multidisciplinary process of the conceptual design and the iterative development of this cross-cultural user-centered application in an action-oriented approach. Results: We piloted our app with 36 refugee patients prior to a clinical study and used the results for further development. The acceptance and usability of the app by patients was high. Conclusion: Using digital tools for overcoming language barriers can be a feasible approach when providing health care to foreign-language patients.

Keywords: language barriers; app; interpreter; primary care; medical history taking; refugee; culturally and linguistically diverse patients (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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