The development of a technologic approach to improve access to individualized clinical documentation in caregivers’ preferred language
- 1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- 2Boston Public Schools, Roxbury, Massachusetts, United States of America
- 3Department of Communicative Disorders, College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States of America
Abstract
This pilot study aims to describe the process of developing a template that semi-automatically translates information from English to Spanish to improve caregivers’ access to clinical documents in their preferred language. It used human-centered design and the Discover, Design/Build, and Test Framework to improve health literacy outcomes for patients who use a language other than English. The Discover Phase revealed current methods and barriers to clinicians providing patients access to written documentation in their primary language. During the Design/Build Phase, an interprofessional team of a speech-language pathologist and a certified translation specialist developed the template in the electronic health record. In the Test Phase, we evaluated the template’s acceptability and feasibility and surveyed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and patients’ caregivers. Clinicians affirmed the importance of the template, but also had concerns regarding feasibility and usability. Caregivers found it helpful to receive their child’s health information in their primary language. The results showed that sustainable access to written documentation in patients’ preferred language is lacking, and this template is prepared to reduce language barriers in an overwhelmed healthcare system. Author summary: In this pilot study, we describe how we created a template that semi-automatically translates pediatric speech-language evaluation results from English into Spanish, without requiring the user to know Spanish. We used the Discover, Design/Build, and Test Framework to evaluate the template’s usability among clinicians and patient caregivers. In the Discover phase, we identified current methods and barriers to health literacy when English-speaking clinicians communicate evaluation results to their pediatric patients’ caregivers. In the Design/Build Phase, a speech-language pathologist and certified translation specialist developed the template. In the Test Phase, we evaluated the template’s usability using quantitative and qualitative measures. The results showed that clinicians found the template valuable and suggested ways to improve its usability. Caregivers were enthusiastic about receiving their child’s health information in their primary language. The results revealed limited access to written documentation in patients’ preferred language. Therefore, this template may reduce language barriers in an overwhelmed healthcare system.
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BibTeX
@article{toscano2026development,
title = {{The development of a technologic approach to improve access to individualized clinical documentation in caregivers’ preferred language}},
author = {Jacqueline Toscano and King Yan Kwok and Meg Simione},
journal = {PLOS Digital Health},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pdig.0001721},
url = {https://journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0001721},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The development of a technologic approach to improve access to individualized clinical documentation in caregivers’ preferred language
AU - Jacqueline Toscano
AU - King Yan Kwok
AU - Meg Simione
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/11
JO - PLOS Digital Health
DO - 10.1371/journal.pdig.0001721
UR - https://journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0001721
AB - This pilot study aims to describe the process of developing a template that semi-automatically translates information from English to Spanish to improve caregivers’ access to clinical documents in their preferred language. It used human-centered design and the Discover, Design/Build, and Test Framework to improve health literacy outcomes for patients who use a language other than English. The Discover Phase revealed current methods and barriers to clinicians providing patients access to written documentation in their primary language. During the Design/Build Phase, an interprofessional team of a speech-language pathologist and a certified translation specialist developed the template in the electronic health record. In the Test Phase, we evaluated the template’s acceptability and feasibility and surveyed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and patients’ caregivers. Clinicians affirmed the importance of the template, but also had concerns regarding feasibility and usability. Caregivers found it helpful to receive their child’s health information in their primary language. The results showed that sustainable access to written documentation in patients’ preferred language is lacking, and this template is prepared to reduce language barriers in an overwhelmed healthcare system. Author summary: In this pilot study, we describe how we created a template that semi-automatically translates pediatric speech-language evaluation results from English into Spanish, without requiring the user to know Spanish. We used the Discover, Design/Build, and Test Framework to evaluate the template’s usability among clinicians and patient caregivers. In the Discover phase, we identified current methods and barriers to health literacy when English-speaking clinicians communicate evaluation results to their pediatric patients’ caregivers. In the Design/Build Phase, a speech-language pathologist and certified translation specialist developed the template. In the Test Phase, we evaluated the template’s usability using quantitative and qualitative measures. The results showed that clinicians found the template valuable and suggested ways to improve its usability. Caregivers were enthusiastic about receiving their child’s health information in their primary language. The results revealed limited access to written documentation in patients’ preferred language. Therefore, this template may reduce language barriers in an overwhelmed healthcare system.
SN - 2767-3170
ER -