Healthcare App Aids End-of-Life Conversations

The pilot revealed that digital translation tools can address critical communication gaps in palliative care. These gaps often lead to missed signals of pain, anxiety, or end-of-life wishes, impacting patient safety and staff well-being. The use of translation apps can help ensure that patients understand diagnoses, treatment plans, and medication instructions, reducing the risk of non-compliance and medical errors. Such tools are especially helpful when professional interpreters are unavailable due to scheduling constraints or costs. However, it's important to note that while translation apps can assist in basic communication, they should not replace professional interpreters in clinical conversations. These apps are best suited for low-risk, non-clinical interactions like basic comfort requests or simple wayfinding. The "Care to Translate" app, for example, offers a library of pre-translated phrases verified by medical experts in over 40 languages. Other apps like Tarjimly connect users with live volunteer interpreters for real-time translation via chat or video call. Integrating translation tools into electronic health record (EHR) systems can also provide seamless access to translated information.