Pilot study: Training bilingual Hmong caregivers using the pain assessment information visualization tool for effective communication in healthcare.

Abstract

Pain in non-English-speaking Hmong patients may be under-detected and under-managed, in part due to challenges in patient-clinician communication. While family caregivers could address this deficiency, they lack symptom recognition and communication training. This study piloted a web-based communication training intervention to help Hmong bilingual caregivers document and communicate their care recipients' pain information to clinicians using the Pain Assessment Information Visualization (InfoViz) tool and communication strategies. We conducted a single-arm, pre-post pilot study of a web-based pain training communication intervention. In the intervention, caregivers use tools and practice communication strategies with video case studies. Qualitative interviews evaluated participants' training experiences, and quantitative measures evaluated feasibility outcomes (satisfaction, time to completion, usability). Descriptive statistics analyzed feasibility outcomes and thematic analysis assessed qualitative feedback about the training. Thirty Hmong caregivers (mean age 32; 26 female) completed the training. They lived in the U.S. for an average of 29 years, with half having a healthcare background (n = 15). Among those who completed the training, 96 % reported being somewhat (n = 8) or extremely satisfied (n = 21) with the intervention. The average completion time was 56 min, primarily using a laptop. Caregivers reported learning new ways to describe pain in Hmong, valued tools for preparation, and felt empowered to support communication during medical visits. Our intervention was feasible and acceptable, providing valuable tools and strategies to help Hmong caregivers support their loved ones with pain communication during medical visits. Future research should examine the intervention's effectiveness and its impact on clinical outcomes. Providing Hmong caregivers with communication training could help overcome language and cultural barriers during pain-related primary care visits for non-English-speaking patients. Additional studies are needed to determine how such training can be integrated into clinical workflows and scaled for broader use.