Designing a Multilingual Instructional Language Tool for Patient Communication in Interventional Radiology

Authors

• Ahlam Houssein, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Samuel Almodóvar, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Gregg Khodorov, MD, MBA, Thomas Jefferson University HospitalFollow
• Sahib Sohal, MD, Thomas Jefferson University HospitalFollow
• Robert Pugliese, PharmD, Thomas Jefferson University HospitalFollow
• David Dwyer, MD, Thomas Jefferson University HospitalFollow

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

2-11-2026

Comments

Presented at the 2026 Scholarly Inquiry (SI) Research Project Symposium.

Abstract

Introduction: Language barriers in healthcare contribute to medical errors, reduced patient adherence, and increased procedural risk among patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), particularly in interventional radiology (IR), where real-time verbal instruction is essential for procedural success. Current virtual translation services lack the immediacy, specificity, and workflow integration required for intraprocedural communication. This project asks how a digital platform can enable IR professionals to communicate procedural instructions to LEP patients accurately and efficiently in real time, hypothesizing that a structured, phrase-based translation system will improve procedural efficiency and safety.

Methods: On-site interviews and workflow observations were conducted with IR physicians, nurses, and scrub technicians at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to identify communication bottlenecks, frequently used procedural phrases, and technological constraints within the IR suite, informing user-centered design principles that emphasize rapid access, low cognitive load, and usability in high-stress environments.

Results: A pilot phrase-based translation application was subsequently developed in Google Slides with pre-recorded audio. The prototype includes thirty-two validated pre-, peri-, and post- procedural phrases in Spanish and Mandarin, organized by purpose (i.e., announcement or command), with color-accessible, intuitive layouts and features designed to mitigate human error, including a corrective message button and help navigation.

Discussion/Conclusions: This solution addresses a critical gap between pre-procedural interpretation services and intraprocedural communication with LEP patients. Improved real-time comprehension may enhance patient adherence, reduce workflow disruptions, and decrease repeat imaging and radiation exposure. Future directions include iterative feedback from IR staff to optimize platform usability and workflow integration. Implementation will assess impacts on patient safety and procedural efficiency, providing a scalable model applicable to other high-risk procedural specialties.

Recommended Citation

Houssein, Ahlam; Almodóvar, Samuel; Khodorov, MD, MBA, Gregg; Sohal, MD, Sahib; Pugliese, PharmD, Robert; and Dwyer, MD, David, "Designing a Multilingual Instructional Language Tool for Patient Communication in Interventional Radiology" (2026). Phase 1. Paper 2.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/si_des_2028_phase1/2

Language

English