Medical Spanish

At the hospital where I’m shadowing, there are several Spanish-speaking patients who don’t speak English. Surprisingly, barely anyone on staff speaks Spanish except for one of the nurses’ aides. When he isn’t around to translate, the PTs and OTs are left to gesture wildly in the hopes that the patient can follow what they are trying to demonstrate. A few times I’ve been able to step in and translate for either party. I was a great Spanish student in high school, but am a little rusty since I haven’t practiced in about five years. Surprisingly, though it seems to be coming back. I’d love to be able to take a medical Spanish course at some point during PT school (this article points out that such courses are increasingly demand) and/or do a clinical internship in a Spanish speaking country. I traveled in Spain and Chile in high school and it would be great to have a chance to go back. Especially since it would mean I could improve my Spanish skills in a way that will help me be a better PT to my future Spanish-speaking patients.

Medical Spanish