Written by Sr. Marketing Associate Sydney Colbert and GB Honduras Program Associate Manager Yessica Rodriguez

The Benefits of Being Bilingual in Healthcare

If you’re reading this blog post, you already know that learning a new language can be scary. A quivering voice, sweaty palms, and an elevated heart rate are just a few of the things that you may experience when first attempting to practice your new language skills. But breaking through these initial barriers can lead you on a path to transform not only your career but also the lives of the future patients you’ll care for.

“Nearly 6 in 10 Hispanic adults have had a difficult time communicating with a health care provider because of a language or cultural barrier, and when they do they often turn to outside sources for help, according to a new study conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.”  – source

If you want to improve the quality of your services and develop stronger communication skills with Spanish-speaking patients, you’ll want to learn some Medical Spanish basics. At Squads Abroad, we’re dedicated to resolving health disparities, and one way we practice this is by empowering our volunteers to collaborate with community members. That’s why our team has created this resource to support Squads volunteers on their journey toward becoming stronger medical professionals and impactful Global Citizens. Check out the guide below!

Medical staff members consulting a patient in Honduras.

Initial interaction with patients

A volunteer from Marquette University greeting an incoming patient.

Triage: Medical History & Vitals

A patient receiving an eye exam during a Health TeleSquad.

Triage: Common Responses and Verbs

A student from Marquette University speaking with young patients about dental hygiene.

Triage: Basic Anatomy

A doctor speaks to a patient about her medication.

Pharmacy

Cultural Preparation

Squads Abroad offers unique language-learning opportunities for students participating in virtual or in-person Health TeleSquads. To learn more about preparing for your next Global Health TeleSquad, visit our website here!