San Francisco, April 27: No Barrier, a provider of AI-powered medical interpretation services enabling instant, real-time translation for patients and clinicians, today shares their deployment to test operational efficiency in a study conducted at Mass General Brigham, titled, “Artificial Intelligence for Language Access in Surgical Care: Patient Preferences and an Implementation Framework,” published in the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst.
The study, done independently from No Barrier, evaluates how AI medical interpreter technology can improve patient language access in surgical settings, comparing traditional remote video interpretation (RVI), No Barrier’s real-time AI translation platform as well as a hybrid approach.
This is grounded in a modified technology acceptance model (TAM) that assesses patient perspectives through perceived usefulness and ease of use by incorporating emotional resonance, cultural alignment, and trust in their preferences across the interpretation delivery methods.
Flexibility and choice were top findings across patient experiences, emphasizing the need for both modality options as they each reportedly demonstrate different strengths. Remote Video Interpretation (RVI) was preferred in emotionally sensitive or high-stakes conversations, whereas No Barrier’s AI interpretation was valued for its instant and private translation abilities, with patients sharing the sentiment that, “A combination would be ideal”, reiterating option desirability.
No Barrier CEO, Eyal Heldenberg, expresses that, “It’s an honor to see No Barrier’s technology integrated in studies aiming to increase language accessibility with patient-centric confidence at the forefront. This report is an indicative triumph of a future where healthcare organizations need to consider the implementation of these tools as a core necessity, and validates our hybrid approach that utilizes AI-first, reinforced by the assessment of human interpretation.”
The authors recruited 23 adult patients with Spanish language preferences using purposive sampling from the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and explored Spanish-speaking surgical patients’ perceptions of varying modalities inclusive of both No Barrier’s AI-based interpretation platform and Remote Video Interpretation technologies.
No Barrier’s selection as a modality variable reflects the notion that language access should not be treated as supplemental, but as critical to care processes, with their platform offering HIPAA-compliant translation for real-time medical communication in over 40 languages.
Dr. Ilan Shapiro, Medical Advisor at No Barrier shares that, “Patients do better when they have clear, accessible options that reflect their needs, preferences, and realities. A hybrid approach recognizes that one model does not fit everyone and allows care to meet people where they are. When patients feel heard and have choices, engagement improves and outcomes follow. This study reinforces the value of designing care delivery around flexibility, trust, and patient experience.”
