The Benefits and Concerns of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for dDeaf Patients in the Current Medical Setting in Virginia

Since the late 1990s, video remote interpreting (VRI) for dDeaf patients has been available and used sporadically in the US medical setting. However, the COVID quarantine period produced a critical clinical situation in which the use of VRI for dDeaf patients skyrocketed throughout medical centers across the country. Several American Sign Language interpreters modified their services or switched entirely to remote interpreting, health facilities invested in handheld video devices and screens, and several commercial remote interpreting services were expanded. However, now that the COVID period has dissipated and the clinical interview setting has returned to a “norm” with few restrictions, the questions for dDeaf patients and their families remain as to what the current usage of video remote interpreting (VRI) in the US medical setting is and what is the average clinical scenario to expect when the dDeaf patient seeks medical help. In the last years, what has been the result of VRI regarding medical care and patient experience for the US dDeaf patient population? Have these VRI practices assisted treating physicians and medical institutions in their care of dDeaf patients? Has this practice become a favored form of interaction for dDeaf patients? If financially successful and accepted by US hearing physicians, should video remote interpreting be the first option provided for dDeaf patients? Investigation into both the favorable and unfavorable aspects of video remote interpreting over the last few years is crucial to ensure that US dDeaf patients and their families are receiving the best available healthcare.