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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

Author

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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
    Crossroads Clinic, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank Müller & Shivani Chandra & Ghefar Furaijat & Stefan Kruse & Alexandra Waligorski & Anne Simmenroth & Evelyn Kleinert, 2020. "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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-8, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1368-:d:323023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Silvera‐Tawil & Courtney Pocock & DanaKai Bradford & Andrea Donnell & Karen Harrap & Jill Freyne & Sally Brinkmann, 2018. "CALD Assist—Nursing: Improving communication in the absence of interpreters," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(21-22), pages 4168-4178, November.
    2. Bischoff, Alexander & Bovier, Patrick A. & Isah, Rrustemi & Francoise, Gariazzo & Ariel, Eytan & Louis, Loutan, 2003. "Language barriers between nurses and asylum seekers: their impact on symptom reporting and referral," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(3), pages 503-512, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Irina Radu & Mandy Scheermesser & Martina Rebekka Spiess & Christina Schulze & Daniela Händler-Schuster & Jessica Pehlke-Milde, 2023. "Digital Health for Migrants, Ethnic and Cultural Minorities and the Role of Participatory Development: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-31, October.

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