Learning Medical Spanish online

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Dec 28, 2007

One of my fellow clinical coordinators used Rosetta Stone and swears by it. However (downside) it's pretty pricy with the first Lesson costing about $150, the second like $250 and the third like $300. But he said it was done in an easy way to where he picked it up quickly.

ebear, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2007

I've heard Rosetta Stone is the bomb too!

anonymurse · Dec 28, 2007

As always, since English is my native language, and believing no court, BoN or malpractice insurance company will consider language translation within my scope of nursing practice, I will continue to avoid the possibility of error due to mistranslation or claimed mistranslation by simply using the blue translator phone provided by my employer.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Dec 28, 2007

It is nice to know that they have some on line programs to learn Spanish. Personally, they sound too expensive to me, but, maybe something to consider in the future.

ebear, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2007

Anonymurse, Does that mean that no one should make any effort to communicate with the Spanish speaking patients? :stone

nurz2be · Dec 28, 2007

I am a Case Manager with a significant number of Spanish speaking patients in my case load and I have looked at several online education courses that teach medical Spanish. Has anybody been successful in completing any online Spanish programs?? Any recommendations of any programs or ones to stay away from? It would just be much easier to learn some basics instead of always having to use someone in my company who can translate. Thanks in advance.

My husband is South American and I have always wanted to learn more Spanish. I know enough to get myself into trouble, LOL. I understand more than I will let myself speak. However, medical Spanish and conversational Spanish are 2 completely different animals. I have had my husband, who is fluent with Spanish, look at different programs so that I can learn medical Spanish. Rosetta Stone is a great and VERY EXPENSIVE program for conversational Spanish, however, has minimal coverage of anything medical related. So you will be spending the money to be able to find out basic information but no learning of medical information. What I did find out is that the hospital I want to work at has a medical Spanish class. It is taught by 3 Spanish instructors along with several of the people that use the "little blue phones."

I know that people can easily and sadly get hung up on the "They should learn our language" but I will tell you this from experience. My MIL learned English well and lived here for 48 years before being struck with Alzheimer's. She is in later stage and only sporadically speaks English. She will speak Spanish, because it is her language. So, to those nay sayers I say it doesn't hurt to find a way to communicate and offer patients the best possible care.

I will learn medical Spanish and speak with those who have lost their voice or don't have one. It won't hurt me to smudge the line others like to make darker.....

rn/writer, RN · Dec 29, 2007

As always, since English is my native language, and believing no court, BoN or malpractice insurance company will consider language translation within my scope of nursing practice, I will continue to avoid the possibility of error due to mistranslation or claimed mistranslation by simply using the blue translator phone provided by my employer.

I, too, believe that using a qualified translator or the language line is the best course of action for medical matters that require decision-making of any importance. However, it is nice to be able to communicate about ADLs and simply make conversation with a patient who might feel somewhat isolated if she is alone.

I work nights on a postpartum unit. My rudimentary Spanish is enough to explain the bathroom necessities, help the new mother to order breakfast, and tell her that she has a beautiful baby. I can assist her with simple breastfeeding challenges and ask if she wants apple or orange juice. I have been told that these small efforts on my part have been appreciated, and I know it has given me satisfaction to give this bit of connection to those who needed it.

Trust me, though. Any time there is a consent to be signed, a question I don't understand, an answer I can't adequately explain (even about something that is not medical), that language phone comes out in a flash.

I will not put my license on the line, but I am grateful that I know enough Spanish to help new mothers feel safe and cared for.

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Dec 29, 2007

I carry these in my locker:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780960283866&itm=14

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781582556840&itm=31

I'll review what I want to ask before walking into a patient's room. I know how to introduce myself, ask if they have pain, ask them if they want medication for pain, to take deep breaths, turn, if they're hungry/thirsty and if I need to take blood. I also tell them up front that I only speak a little bit of spanish because sometimes they'll start a whole diatribe and I like to head that off before they get too deep into it. Both are great for quick references and many patients are really patient with you when they know you're trying to help.

anonymurse · Dec 31, 2007

Anonymurse, Does that mean that no one should make any effort to communicate with the Spanish speaking patients? :stone

Oh, absolutely every effort should be made to establish the most accurate communication possible. It's just that because my hospital has a medical translation service available, that's exactly what I have, and I'm not going to use less than the best available. If the service goes down, then I'll inform the nursing supervisor and ask her to provide the next-best resource in the hospital. It's her job to know this. Failing this, I'll try to find a licensed person who's a native Spanish speaker. Sure, EMTs "wing it" on the street all the time. But I'm in a hospital, and having richer resources and tighter regulation, we do things differently.

Katie82, RN · Dec 31, 2007

I worked in a Public Health clinic that had a large Spanish-Speaking population. Over a few years, I taught myself a lot of medical Spanish out of necessity. We make many assumptions when dealing with non-Eng speakers. Some cannot read, so giving them printed materials often doesn't work. Translators are often not well trained and I have known them to interject personal feelings into the translation. All Spanish is not created equal, every region seems to have their own vocabulary. I have always enjoyed the challenge of making myself understood, and I always preface my attempts by telling the patient that I am not a fluent speaker. There are definatly times when only a translator can help, especially in the acute care setting, but I have always tried to know enough to carry on a social conversation. I suppose I can be empathetic because I lived in Italy for two years, and know how it feels to be a non-native speaker. Whether we should have to learn Spanish is a big issue now, but in order to care for my patients, I do.

TravelNurse4Life · Apr 20, 2008

Well, learning Spanish online is really tricky, it takes a lot longer. To really get the best Spanish experience is to actually practice it all the time. When I went abroad to another country I was forced to speak Spanish when I lived with a family for three weeks. Plus taking classes, it really made a huge difference. If you want to get more practice, maybe you can hire someone for hours a day or on the time off, and just constantly speak for hours. This way you will get comfortable speaking as you go. Also if possible incorporate different ages. If there are teens willing to get paid say, $10 an hour just to have a Spanish conversation, then thats another way of hearing and practicing. Kids are great in correcting your Spanish.

Other tips,

I hear Rosetta Stone is great but costly.

Rent tapes and DVD, they are also helpful

Watch Spanish channels

Study Spanish abroad like Costa Rica, Spain, Mexico and be on vacation at the same time. This is my highest recommendation to really get a lot of Spanish practice. Personally I went to Costa Rica, and I LOVED it. I went with a company called SpanishforMedical.com