Bridging the Gap: A Student's Experience Learning Medical Spanish

By Devin Downing

​
​When I first stepped foot in the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center a year ago, I didn’t speak an ounce of medical Spanish. Sure, I had spent several years abroad, becoming proficient in the language, but terms like “blister,” “wort,” “bladder,” and “heartburn” eluded me. My medical vocabulary was abysmal, and as a result, I relied on an interpreter to communicate with the clinic’s predominantly Spanish-speaking patients.

​Over time, I noticed subtle ways in which, even with an interpreter, the language barrier influenced my patient interaction. While crucial information was accurately conveyed, nuances such as my personality, tone, and empathy were often lost in translation. The interpreter was a lens through which the patient and I viewed each other, simultaneously providing clarity while distorting our perception.

I vividly recall an encounter with a patient, whom I’ll call Diego, discussing the results of a recent skin biopsy. Despite my limited medical vocabulary, I understood him as he shared his concerns. Having lost his father to melanoma during his teenage years, Diego dreaded the thought of his son facing a similar fate. However, as Diego explained his predicament, I couldn’t help but notice the interpreter’s monotone delivery, devoid of the fear and urgency Diego’s intonation contained. Likewise, when I offered a few words of reassurance, Diego heard them in the interpreter's voice—an interpreter who was destined to change at each subsequent visit, hindering the development of familiarity and trust.

Following this experience, I enrolled in a medical Spanish course to address my linguistic shortcomings. The difference was palpable when I directly engaged with a patient, whom I will call Ana, during her annual diabetes checkup. Without the need for an interpreter, there were no interruptions or awkward shifts in eye contact. I could nod along as Ana spoke, providing immediate feedback and validation of her concerns. Although seemingly minor, these changes significantly improved our rapport. At the end of the visit, I inquired if Ana had any additional concerns. After some hesitation, she confided in me that she had been feeling down for the past few months. This led to further exploration and eventually a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. While impossible to confirm, I believe our rapport played a pivotal role in her diagnosis. If she had not felt at ease in that examination room, Ana might still be grappling with her symptoms in silence.

​Now, it is not my intent to diminish the invaluable role of interpreters. They play a vital role in facilitating care that would otherwise be inaccessible. They are bridges, permitting the travel of life-saving knowledge, but even bridges have their limitations. They create congestion and delay the exchange of information. Again, I do not wish to critique interpreters but to underscore the positive impact of Spanish-speaking healthcare providers. They have an increased capacity to connect with and care for their Spanish-speaking patients, improving medical care and optimizing patient satisfaction.
 

NWRPCA welcomes and regularly publishes white papers and articles submitted by members, partners and associates with subject matter expertise. The appearance of any guest publication in our Health Center News database represents the views of the author and does not constitute endorsement by NWRPCA of the stated opinions or perspectives, nor does it suggest endorsement of the contributor's products or services.