With the fifth largest Hispanic population in the world, the United States has a dire need for bilingual physicians, nurses, technicians, paramedics and other medical professionals. It is often a question of life or death.
Unlike other schools that simply teach medical terms in Spanish, our MedSpanish program is designed specifically for the healthcare environment. If you are a physician, MedSpanish is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide up to 50 CME credits.
MedSpanish 5-Prong Approach
MedSpanish utilizes a 5-prong approach to deliver the very best educational and cultural experiences to its students.
1. INTENSIVE LANGUAGE TRAINING
MedSpanish utilizes private or small group instruction tailored to your degree of proficiency and desired outcome. You can start any Monday. In San Miguel, we base our general Spanish curriculum on the language program developed by the U.S. Foreign Service. We then add terminology and context specific to the health care profession so that you can communicate effectively with Spanish speaking patients in the U.S.
2. CULTURAL LITERACY & AWARENESS
Vocabulary is not enough. Therefore we complement our language instruction with cultural literacy and awareness training consistent with standards established by the institute for Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS). This is a critical component to ensuring accurate communication, anticipating patient needs, generating appropriate questions, and eliciting thorough responses.
3. FULL IMMERSION
By studying and living in Mexico towns, and by using your new skills in hospitals and clinics, you are encouraged to practice and apply your Spanish in a natural setting. This reinforces your lessons and helps develop unconcious assimilation of the language. Typical immersion periods are from one to two months for students and residents. Attending physicians typically stay one or two weeks. If desired, MedSpanish will place you with a host family so that you can practice conversation around the table.
4. CLINICAL COMPONENT
As a medical professional, you are strongly encouraged to participate in clinical learning opportunities through our partner network, PACE. Through PACE, MedSpanish can place you as an observer in local clinics and hospitals so that you have a chance to practice dialogue with patients and native Spanish speaking clinicians. Rotations are typically 5-7 hours daily. Activities include directed chart reviews, interpreting diagnostic tests, and learning the names of Mexican pharmaceuticals. In addition, this unique highlight helps you to learn more about the health care system in Mexico and the delivery of community based care. More information can be obtained on the PACE website at www.pacemd.org .
5. REMOTE INSTRUCTION
It is important to continue to use and improve your new language skills. We therefore offer live language instruction via the Internet, tailored to your busy schedule. Our Remote Instruction component can prepare you for the immersion experience, provide valuable follow-up instruction and practice, or substitute for coming to Mexico should your schedule not permit a full immersion experience.
