The translation app Care to Translate has been tested in acute conditions in healthcare. The outcome was almost a success. "It has become easier to communicate with the patients and given them security about the care they will receive," says project manager Micaela Fristedt.
The Care to Translate digital translation service was tested between October and December by staff at the infection clinic at the Central Hospital in Karlstad, the Public Dental Service in Kristinehamn and the X-ray clinics in Arvika and Torsby.
The app makes it possible to communicate with patients who do not speak Swedish. Via pre-given phrases, the staff can ask simple questions, or provide information in the patients' native language. The phrases can be played and displayed simultaneously in text on a mobile phone or tablet.
- The phrases are designed to provide leading questions. Patients should be able to answer yes, no, nod or shake their head, says Micaela Fristedt.
Valuable insights
Maja Magnusson, one of the co-founders of Care to Translate, thinks that the tests in a real environment are important to verify that the service works in practice, both in the staff's workflow and in the dialogue with the patients. The test in Värmland has also meant that Care to Translate has been able to expand its playlists with phrases, which can then be useful to others.
- For example, we didn't have many specific phrases in place regarding tuberculosis, there we got together a very nice library together with the infection clinics, says Maja Magnusson.
DigitalWell Arena has also been able to offer Care to Translate a review of Nordic Medtest.
- It has been extremely valuable. It gave good insights into what we had already thought about well, but also insights into needs when the technology is to be used on a larger scale, says Maja Magnusson.
"Great praise for the businesses"
The test has been made possible by Regionen Värmland's innovation gateway Vivan in collaboration with DigitalWell Arena. Mari Banck, development manager at Region Värmland, has been the unifying force.
- A big compliment to the business that has been brave and raised its hand. In general, it can be difficult to get testing in a real environment. But this really shows what profits can arise if the courage exists, says Mari Banck.
The idea of testing a digital translation tool has existed for quite some time at Region Värmland's asylum and refugee health. Mari Banck thinks that many parties contributed to it actually happening, not least the procurement unit has contributed with both support and innovative thinking.
- Tests in a real environment provide an opportunity to get to know each other, and there is no requirement to take in the service. The units don't have to take responsibility for saying yes or no to the deal, because I take responsibility for giving the companies that feedback.
Increased security
In total, over 100 different sessions were held in Care to Translate during the test period. Not least, the service proved valuable in many of the short meetings that occur in healthcare, where interpreters normally do not participate.
- The translations are made to take social, cultural and medical context into account. It has meant a relief for the staff that the patients have understood and given almost exclusively positive experiences, says Micaela Fristedt.
She says that small, simple phrases in the patients' native language can create security in a situation where many are nervous. It also enables patients, for example, to better understand how to take medication, which otherwise often leads to uncertainty and unnecessary return visits.
After the test period, Region Värmland has prepared a direct procurement of the service, so that all clinics that want to be able to use Care to Translate.
Folktandvården in Kristinehamn is one of the businesses that tested Care to Translate. Mainly, the service has been used in the reception, where it was possible to solve questions about why the patient is seeking care, appointments, payment and similar matters.
- It has been very nice that we have been able to be a little more polite in our treatment. It has also been easier to ensure that information has reached us, even in certain treatment situations, says clinic manager Åsa Stålenmark, who in the picture is accompanied by colleague Maria Wilson.