Telehealth Video Remote Interpretation: Making Healthcare Accessible to All
Let’s consider this scenario: You are traveling to another country and suddenly become ill. When you go to a medical facility, no one there speaks your language, and there are no in-person interpreters available. However, a staff member brings in a laptop or tablet, pushes a button, and you are quickly talking with an interpreter who understands your language. Now, you are relieved knowing that you can communicate with the doctors who are treating your ailment.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth visits have increased, as patients have been appreciating the convenience of remote-access appointments. However, this rise in telehealth services sheds light on the communication gap that exists between patients from abroad and their care team.
As medical facilities are addressing how to remotely support their patients who speak other languages, telehealth video remote interpretation (VRI) is proving to be a game changer.
How Does Telehealth VRI Work?
Available within seconds by pressing a button, video remote interpretation can be accessed on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Through this service, foreign patients and those who are hard of hearing will be seen and heard by someone who can expertly facilitate communication between them and their doctors.
When a patient schedules a telehealth appointment, they can indicate that they need an interpreter to join. However, there are many medical situations that require immediate communication with someone who understands both languages. As such, on-demand interpretation provides the quick access that patients and their physicians often need.
The process of telehealth VRI includes the following steps:
- To start, the person initiating the interpretation would launch a VRI application. Oftentimes, the physician or another medical professional would begin the process.
- After starting the application, they would log in to the program’s VRI portal with a personalized identification number, then select the language pair, as well as add any other pertinent information.
- A certified interpreter, who is a specialist in the field, will then join the video conference.
- During the session, the language professional will most likely use consecutive interpretation, in which the speaker will talk in their native language, stopping after a specific number of words. The interpreter will then translate the sentences into the target language. These intervals will continue until the communication is complete.
- If the telehealth session involves a larger group, such as an entire care team and the patient’s family, the interpreter might use simultaneous interpretation. During this approach, the interpreter will translate a sentence into the target language, while simultaneously paying attention to and comprehending the next sentence.
- When the interpretation session is complete, all users will disconnect from the videoconference.
The ease of using this remote interpretation service makes it possible to fulfill several telehealth needs, such as a patient simply not wanting to leave home for an appointment or someone who is experiencing an emergency.
Benefits of Telehealth Video Remote Interpretation
Telehealth video interpretation services allow healthcare providers to quickly meet the needs of all patients, regardless of the languages they speak. The primary benefits of this remote service include:
- It provides fast responses to medical emergencies.Healthcare emergencies can happen anywhere at any time, and language barriers should not prevent people from getting the help they need in those dire moments. By using telehealth VRI, patients do not have to wait for an interpreter to be present to describe their pain and symptoms to their doctors. Urgent situations require immediate care, and remote interpretation can ensure that it happens.
- Accurate communication prevents grave errors.Although telehealth services can be provided over a phone, the visual aspect of the patient’s symptoms can help doctors make a diagnosis. Through the interpreter, they can share vital information that will impact the care the patient receives. A remote interpreter can help prevent a mistake in communication that can have grave consequences. For example, the doctor might give instructions on how to properly partake medication. If the patient does not understand those instructions, they could experience tragic side effects.
- Remote interpretation and telehealth platforms are easy to access.Telehealth platforms are made to be easy to use, with the most effective ones allowing an interpreter to join without hassles. No additional equipment is needed, and the interpreter can be available right away.
- The cost savings are huge.VRI is cost effective for both the healthcare facility and the patient. On-site interpretation can be costly for a healthcare organization, and the patient will likely incur that expense. Being able to connect to an interpreter through video helps reduce the costs associated with the interpretation.
- Patients have access to top-notch physicians. By eliminating the expense and burden of traveling to see specialists, patients have access to physicians who have expertise in their health condition. As VRI eliminates the language barriers, patients can seek medical opinions from doctors whom they would never be able to visit otherwise.
- VRI can help patients improve their health. When patients understand their diagnoses and treatment plans, they are more likely to follow the instructions from their doctors. By adhering to their care plans, their conditions can improve, and they will be less likely to return with the same issue.
- VRI is especially useful for patients who are hard of hearing. If a person with auditory disabilities needs telehealth services, then they will also require access to an interpreter who specializes in American Sign Language. Because the interpreter and patient can see each other, they can communicate and the interpreter can relay the information to the doctor.
- Patients will have a better experience. Patients experience a greater level of satisfaction when they can seek language assistance from an interpreter, instead of relying on a bilingual employee or a family member. Conversely, if a patient has trouble communicating with their doctor, they will likely become frustrated. This is especially the case if they have decided to take a chance on using telehealth services. By providing access to interpreters, healthcare organizations can ensure that language barriers will be overcome, creating a positive experience for the patients and their families.
- On-demand interpretation means someone is always available. When a medical need occurs at night, a patient can feel a heightened level of stress, especially since they do not have immediate access to their regular doctors. However, telehealth VRI can alleviate that stress since medical providers and interpreters will be readily available.
As more people decide to use telehealth services to receive their medical care, the need for video remote interpretation will surge. In fact, 75% of physicians have said that telehealth allows them to give high-quality care to their patients, and 70% of them have indicated that they will increase their use of telehealth services.
By working with telehealth interpretation agencies, healthcare organizations can be certain that language barriers and borders do not get in the way of them giving patients the best care possible. Partner with an interpretation company that can customize their services to meet your requirements and provide top-notch service for your patients.
Summary
During the past couple of years, patients have been choosing telehealth services for their healthcare needs. Although telehealth might pose challenges for patients from abroad, video remote interpretation (VRI) is available to ensure that the quality of care is not diminished by language barriers. Telehealth VRI is easy to use and has numerous benefits.
