The nature of the ICE at California Hope

The ICEs at CH cover a range of activities and, as we have seen, occur either over the speakerphone or face-to-face. Patients or HCPs need interpreters to assist them in performing various activities and carrying out communicative functions. Examples of activities include: making or canceling an appointment; delivering news or results; conducting a verbal examination (speech pathology); conducting a physical examination (physician); conducting a procedure (e.g. CT scan); and calling to remind about an appointment. In these activities, any of the following communicative functions can occur: complain, request, reprimand; explain, express support, justify, advise; ask and answer questions, express solidarity; instruct; inform; and remind. The length of the ICE also varies significantly, according to the nature of the event (which varies from two minutes to over two hours). For example, an appointment cancellation or a reminder call may take under three minutes. These ICEs are generally conducted over the telephone. A check-up visit may take fifteen minutes, with the interpreter present or at a remote location (over the speakerphone).