Second Language Skills as an ATC

As we take a look at the patients who we come into contact with, we should be cognizant enough to know that diversity is all around us.  This diversity includes: gender, values, socio-economic status, religious practices/beliefs, educational level, orientation, age, and language.

For this post, I would like to suggest the importance for a competent health care provider to consider learning another language in order to facilitate communication between patients and to perhaps build a more trusting relationship with patients.  If I can, I would like each of us to just take a moment to think about what it must be like to be in a place where no one speaks the same language as you do.  Perhaps some of you have actually traveled to another country and have felt a bit 'lost' in the conversation with the 'locals'.  We do recognize, however, that we no longer need to travel to another country to be surrounded by individuals who speak a different language than we do, rather, we can find ourselves in our very own communities at a loss with understanding another person as we don't speak the same language.

How wonderful would it be if we could all learn a few key phrases so that we could openly communicate with someone.  Even better, how might a patient feel when they realize their health care provider has taken the time to learn some of their language in order to talk with them.  For me, I am very interested in keeping up with my sign language and I plan to offer a Medical Sign Language class this Spring for others who may be interested in learning more of this beautiful, visual language!

See if you can pick up some 'signs' from viewing the youtube video . . .

BTW - the reason he is sick - in case you missed it, he made a hamburger yesterday, took a bite and then opened the bun up and saw a green hamburger!  Hmm . . . ecoli maybe?  Food poisoning definitely!