| | | Medical Spanish in EcuadorSpecialized Spanish Instruction for Health care Professionals and Medical StudentsGeneral OverviewFor those involved in health care, or pursuing a career in medicine, there has never been a more important time to learn Spanish than right now. Current estimates put the number of Spanish-speakers currently working, living, and accessing health care in the United States at 30-40 million, and in many places in the United States, Spanish is the unofficial first language. The Medical Spanish in Ecuador program gives those with the need to use Spanish in a medical setting the opportunity to focus their language learning, all while immersed in the Ecuadorian culture. The Medical Spanish in Ecuador program aims to promote language and cultural competence,* and to enhance the skills of health service professionals and consequently improve overall healthcare. It is designed for medical students, nurses, physicians and assistants, and health workers who need to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients. The program includes formal classroom study, as well as visits to local hospitals, medical schools, rural health programs, and traditional healers. There are two general components to our Medical Spanish program: concentrated Spanish instruction with a focus on the medical field, and an introduction to health, disease, and healing in Ecuador and Latin America through field trips and guest lectures. In the mornings, the program offers intensive Spanish instruction with an emphasis on medical terminology, situations and Latin American customs. Classes are conducted in small-group or one-on-one settings and provide opportunities for role-playing through the use of mock medical exams and other health situations. Classes will be held from Monday to Friday, from 8-10 and 10:30-12:30 in the morning, in order to leave the afternoons open for field trips. Classes will be offered at high intermediate and advanced levels. ** Afternoons will be spent meeting different working medical professionals, public health experts, and local people to discuss the many facets of health and disease in Latin America. Afternoons can include visits to the public hospital, the medical school, a mobile surgery unit in a rural area, a community health clinic, a discussion and demonstration of Andean shamanism and observation of a shamanic cleansing in the local market. For those who wish to extend the program for longer than two weeks, additional visits can be included to places such as the women’s prison health department, a traditional midwife, and a center for children with disabilities. While in Cuenca, participants will have the choice of living with an Ecuadorian healthcare professional or in a bed-and-breakfast close to the school. Host families provide three meals a day and laundry service. More importantly, living with a host family provides a rich intercultural and personal experience. Students opting to stay in a bed and breakfast will have a more independent daily routine, but they will be responsible for their own meals and laundry.
| | | | Study in Cuenca, Ecuador, one of the world's most beautiful cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. | |
| The two week program includes a total of 40 hours of formal classroom study, as well as 16 additional hours of lectures and visits to local hospitals, medical schools and other health providers. Thus, our program has a total of 56 hours of study, equal to 5 Continuing Education Units (CEU). While most state licensing boards accept medical Spanish language courses toward continuing education requirements, we recommend that applicants check with their state board for specific requirements. CEDEI is available to provide assistance with this process. | | |
| *"Cultural Competency is the ability of individuals and systems to respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds and religions in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the cultural differences and similarities and the worth of individuals, families, and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each. Improvements in communication and cultural understanding as outcomes of enhanced cultural competency in a health care setting is demonstrated by improved diagnoses, treatment plans and patient satisfaction (Seattle King County Dept of Public Health).” http://www.metrokc.gov/HEALTH/kchap/discrimination.htm **To participate in this program you must have at least an intermediate level of Spanish. If you feel that you are not quite at this level you are welcome to join our FISP (Full Immersion Spanish Program) for a few weeks to improve your Spanish before participating in our Medical Spanish Program. | | |