Establishing a suitable relationship between the professional and the patient is essential in the practice of the different professions belonging to the healthcare field. In order to reach the desired relationship, it is indispensable to achieve a good communicative interaction, situation in which language will play a central role.

Spanish for Medical Purposes

The existence of a growing Spanish-speaking population in countries with an official language different from Spanish, makes it indispensable for the different healthcare professionals to improve their Spanish skills and develop medical vocabulary in order to effectively deal with their Spanish-speaking patients.

Due to this, we have produced a Spanish for Medical Purposes course offering healthcare professionals the basic necessary elements to better communicate in Spanish. The characteristics of this communication will be very important for the achievement of an effective professional-patient relationship, pillar of an appropriate practice of the profession.

General objectives

• Improve your Spanish and your communication skills in this language.
• Develop skills and knowledge to optimize oral communication with Spanish-speakers in your work environment.
• Master basic vocabulary related to healthcare in order to better read and understand Spanish medical bibliography.
• Acquire general information about social and cultural aspects in relationships between caregivers and Spanish-speaking patients.
• Learn about the general characteristics of the Argentinean healthcare system.

Specific objectives

• Acquire Spanish skills in order to be able to:
  - acquire some of the basic medical vocabulary,
  - communicate with Spanish-speaking people in a medical environment,
  - make an effective medical interview,
  - record the patient’s personal information, and
  - give instructions or make suggestions to the patient in written or spoken.
• Acquire a basic grasp about the Hispanic patient’s character so as to improve the understanding of the patient’s expressions.

General contents

• Spanish for medical purposes
• Medical interview.
• Technical and common terminology as regards general and specific signs and symptoms of the different organs and systems.
• General anatomy.
• Main diseases.
• Instructions and suggestions to the patient.
• General characteristics of the Argentinean healthcare system (Visits to Healthcare Centers).

The course contents are subjected to the students’ interests and needs.

Designed for healthcare professionals and advanced students in the healthcare related professions who are working with –or interested in working with– Spanish-speaking patients or colleagues.

It is recommended that students have at least a basic knowledge of Spanish before beginning the course.